AGP Executive Report

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously voted to repeal the Code Noir and, separately, to formally acknowledge the state’s “share of responsibility” for the chlordecone pesticide scandal harming Guadeloupe and Martinique—where health authorities say over 90% of adults carry traces—setting up a new push for decontamination, research priorities, and compensation frameworks. Health & Trade Links: Martinique’s health minister Dr Frank Anthony says an oncology centre on the island is ready to supply Guyana with radioactive drugs for cancer treatment, following discussions with regional partners. Regional Connectivity: Air Caraïbes and LIAT 2020 have launched an interline agreement to sell single-ticket itineraries across the Eastern Caribbean, including Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana. Security at Sea: A French Navy operation in the Caribbean seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat, with suspects detained and the case handed to Colombian authorities. Environment & Regional Cooperation: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management and value-added uses, building on EU/OECS-supported regional strategies. Local Governance Watch: Warwick District Council is weighing a £235,000 feasibility study to revive the derelict Linen Street multi-storey car park, tied to safety closures since 2021. Sports & Community: Saint Lucia’s rugby teams faced heavy losses to Martinique and Jamaica, but the union highlights development gains from the matchups.

Cancer Care & Trade Links: Martinique’s health minister Dr Frank Anthony says an oncology centre in Fort-de-France is ready to supply Guyana with radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment, following talks with the Lotus Cancer Initiative and a ceremony featuring local survivors. Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to recognize the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone pesticide scandal affecting Martinique and Guadeloupe, with MPs citing contamination levels of nearly 90% and links to cancers, while an interministerial mission is set to assess cleanup and remediation. Symbolic Justice on Slavery Law: France repealed the Code Noir (Black Code) after 254-0 in the National Assembly, a major symbolic step that still leaves reparations questions open for Martinique and other overseas communities. Regional Connectivity: Air Caraïbes and LIAT signed an interline agreement to strengthen Caribbean–Europe travel, including routes connecting Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana with Eastern Caribbean services. Security & Drug Interdiction: A French Navy operation in the Caribbean seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat, with suspects detained and the cargo handed to Colombian authorities. Regional Environment Cooperation: An OECS delegation visited Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management strategies and value-added uses, supported by the EU and regional partners. Local Governance & Politics (Grenada): Grenada’s opposition NNP convention highlighted plans including tax reductions on water and electricity, while party leadership reshuffles elevated Adrian Joseph as caretaker candidate for St George North-west.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously voted to repeal the Code Noir and, separately, to formally acknowledge the state’s “share of responsibility” for the long-running chlordecone health and environmental scandal in Guadeloupe and Martinique—an overdue political step that still stops short of full liability and points to future cleanup and compensation frameworks. Anti-Drug Enforcement: In Fort-de-France, a French Navy operation (“Royal Toucan”) with Dutch and Dominican air support seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat; two suspects were detained and the drugs handed to Colombian authorities. Regional Connectivity by Air: Air Caraïbes and LIAT 2020 launched an interline agreement to let travelers book one ticket with through-checked baggage across Caribbean–Europe routes, including Martinique and Guadeloupe. Sargassum Management: An OECS delegation visited Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum collection and value-added uses, building on EU/OECS-supported regional strategies. Legal Access for Business: OHADAC’s CARO Centre and the OECS will roll out arbitration and ADR training across the Eastern Caribbean, including Martinique, aiming to make dispute resolution more predictable for investors and firms. Military Readiness: The Antilles Armed Forces ran “Operation Caribbean 26,” a multinational disaster-response exercise using Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units under FAA command. Sports (Martinique vs. St Lucia): Saint Lucia’s youth and senior rugby sides suffered heavy defeats to Martinique in a friendly, with a return match scheduled for June 20. Tourism Push (Grenada): Grenada outlined a 12–24 month tourism agenda focused on site upgrades, community tourism, digital marketing, and stronger regional partnerships. Cruise Travel Notes: A separate cruise-industry update highlights passport rules for Caribbean sailings, including stricter requirements on some routes from San Juan.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously backed a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” for the long-term health, environmental and economic harm caused by chlordecone in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with MPs citing contamination affecting nearly 90% of adults and links to cancers and other health impacts; the law also points to decontamination goals, research priorities and future compensation frameworks. Colonial Law Repeal: In a separate but related reckoning, lawmakers voted to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, a slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as property—an important symbolic step, but one that leaves reparations questions unresolved. Regional Aviation Connectivity: LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes launched an interline deal effective June 1, letting passengers book one ticket with through-checked baggage across combined networks, including routes connecting Eastern Caribbean islands to Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana. Security & Drug Interdiction: A French Navy operation in the Caribbean—supported by Dutch and Dominican aircraft—seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat and led to suspects being handed over for proceedings. Sargassum Study Mission: An OECS delegation visited Martinique and Guadeloupe to review sargassum management approaches and explore value-added uses for the seaweed. Local Governance & Justice Access: OHADAC and the CARO Regional Arbitration Centre are set to launch training on arbitration and ADR across the Eastern Caribbean, aiming to improve access to economic justice for businesses and investors.

Chlordecone Accountability in the French West Indies: France’s National Assembly has unanimously backed a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” for the health, environmental and economic harm linked to chlordecone in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where lawmakers cite contamination affecting nearly 90% of adults; the measure also points to decontamination goals, research priorities and future compensation work, with an interministerial mission expected to assess remediation. Symbolic Legal Reckoning: In the same broader reckoning, France moved to formally repeal the 1685 Code Noir (“Black Code”), a slavery-era law that treated enslaved people as property—an act widely framed as historic, but still leaving reparations questions unresolved. Regional Connectivity by Air: A new interline deal between LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes starts June 1, letting passengers book one ticket with through-checked baggage across connected Caribbean routes that include Martinique and Guadeloupe. Security & Antilles Operations: French forces in the Antilles seized 737kg of cocaine after intercepting a speedboat, with suspects detained and the drugs handed to Colombian authorities. Martinique in Regional Climate Work: An OECS delegation visited Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management strategies under an EU-supported regional effort. Local Governance Watch: First Rock Real Estate Investments plans an additional public offering to fund property acquisitions, including a Martinique office building.

Chlordecone Reckoning: France’s National Assembly has unanimously voted to repeal the state’s “partial responsibility” framework for the chlordecone health scandal in Guadeloupe and Martinique, formally acknowledging the government’s share of responsibility for long-term health, environmental and economic harm—while still leaving reparations to a future legal framework and a planned interministerial cleanup mission. Slavery Law Erased: In a separate historic move, lawmakers voted 254-0 to repeal the 1685 Code Noir (“Black Code”), a slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property,” with Senate approval still pending. Regional Aviation Connectivity: LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes launched an interline agreement effective June 1, enabling single-ticket travel with through-checked baggage across networks that include Martinique and Guadeloupe, as Caribbean Airlines cuts reshape routes. Martinique Security & Justice at Sea: A French Navy operation in the Caribbean seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat, with suspects detained and the case handed to Colombian authorities. Regional Environment Cooperation: An OECS delegation visited Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management and value-added uses, supported by EU/OECS SARSEA efforts. Local Governance & Justice Training: OHADAC and CARO will launch Eastern Caribbean arbitration and ADR training in June, aiming to strengthen access to economic justice for businesses and investors.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously voted to recognize the state’s “share of responsibility” for the chlordecone pesticide catastrophe in Guadeloupe and Martinique, setting decontamination and compensation goals after MPs cited contamination affecting nearly 90% of adults and links to cancers and other health harms. Code Noir Repeal: In a separate historic move, lawmakers also voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery decrees—still on the books despite abolition in 1848—though the debate again leaves reparations unresolved. Regional Justice Training: OECS and the OHADAC Regional Arbitration Centre (CARO) will launch June 10 training to expand arbitration and ADR capacity across the Eastern Caribbean, including Martinique and Guadeloupe. Sargassum Study Mission: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe June 1-4 to review sargassum management and explore value-added uses, backed by the EU. Antilles Security at Sea: A French Navy operation (“Royal Toucan”) with partner aircraft seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat; two suspects were detained and the drugs handed to Colombian authorities. Local Environment & Culture: Grenada’s climate adaptation guide validation workshop drew broad stakeholders, while Saint Lucia’s Mercury Fest returns Aug 14-16, with outreach aimed at the French market including Martinique.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously backed a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” for the health, environmental and economic harm caused by chlordecone in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where health agencies cite contamination affecting over 90% of adults; the law sets decontamination goals and points toward compensation and future reparations work. Slavery Law Repeal: In a separate historic vote, lawmakers approved the repeal of the Code Noir, the 1685 decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property,” with the measure now headed to the Senate—symbolic progress, but reparations remain unresolved. Regional Justice Training: The OHADAC–CARO arbitration and ADR training programme is set to launch June 10 in collaboration with the OECS, aiming to strengthen access to economic justice across the Eastern Caribbean, including Martinique and Guadeloupe. Security & Anti-Drugs: A French Navy operation in the Caribbean seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat, with suspects detained and the drugs handed over to Colombian authorities. Environment & Regional Cooperation: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe (June 1–4) to study sargassum management and value-added uses, supported by the EU and OECS. Local Governance & Justice Access: (Martinique angle) The chlordecone law and the arbitration/ADR rollout both underscore how French state decisions and regional legal capacity-building are shaping everyday life in the French West Indies.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously passed a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” for the health, moral, environmental and economic harm caused by chlordecone in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with MPs citing contamination affecting over 90% of adults and links to cancers and other long-term damage; the law also sets decontamination goals and points to compensation work, while keeping reparations tied to a future legal framework. Slavery Law Repeal: In a separate historic vote, lawmakers moved to formally erase the 1685 Code Noir from French law—symbolic progress that still leaves Martinique and other overseas communities pressing for more than gestures. Regional Justice Training: OHADAC and the CARO arbitration centre, with OECS support and French backing, will launch June 10 training to expand local arbitration and ADR capacity across the Eastern Caribbean. Martinique Environment & Security: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management and value-added uses, while the French Navy reports a major cocaine seizure (737kg) in the Antilles. Aviation Watch: Air France continues an unusual Miami–Guadeloupe Airbus A320 route, reflecting how Caribbean connectivity is shifting.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously adopted a bill recognizing the State’s “share of responsibility” for the long-running chlordecone pesticide scandal in Guadeloupe and Martinique, citing contamination affecting nearly 90% of adults and linking the toxin to serious cancers; an interministerial mission is set to assess remediation. Slavery Law Repeal: In a separate historic vote, lawmakers unanimously repealed the Code Noir, the 1685 “Black Code” that treated enslaved people as property—still requiring Senate approval—while debates continue over whether symbolism should be matched by reparations. Regional Justice Training: OHADAC’s CARO Centre and the OECS will launch June 10 training on arbitration and ADR across the Eastern Caribbean, including Martinique and Guadeloupe, aiming to make dispute resolution more accessible for businesses and investors. Security in the Antilles: A French Navy operation in the Caribbean (“Royal Toucan”) seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat, with suspects handed to Colombian authorities. Martinique Environment & Regional Cooperation: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe (June 1–4) to study sargassum management and potential value-added uses. Aviation Connectivity Watch: Air France continues an unusual Miami–Pointe-à-Pitre–island-hopping network using Airbus A320s, reflecting how Caribbean routes keep shifting.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously adopted a bill recognizing the State’s “share of responsibility” in the decades-long chlordecone health and environmental scandal affecting Martinique and Guadeloupe, citing contamination levels of nearly 90% of adults and long-term cancer risks, while stopping short of full liability and pointing to a future legal framework for compensation. Regional Justice & Business Disputes: OECS and the OHADAC Regional Arbitration Centre are set to launch June 10 training on arbitration and ADR across the Eastern Caribbean, aiming to make economic justice more predictable and accessible for investors and institutions, including Martinique and Guadeloupe. Security at Sea: A French Navy operation in the Antilles seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat, with suspects detained and the case handed to Colombian authorities under international cooperation. Aviation Connectivity Watch: Air France continues an unusual Miami–Guadeloupe Airbus A320 route, while regional carriers’ reshuffling (including Caribbean Airlines’ pullbacks) keeps Martinique and the wider French Caribbean focused on maintaining links. Code Noir Repeal Fallout: France’s symbolic repeal of the Code Noir slavery law—still embedded in law until now—resonates strongly in Martinique and Guadeloupe, with renewed calls for justice beyond symbolism. Environment & Water: A Martinique/Guadeloupe mission is underway to tackle sargassum management and potential value-added uses, as climate stress and water scarcity remain pressing across the region.

France–Martinique Legal Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, the slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property.” The move is symbolic and still needs Senate approval, but it lands with special weight for Martinique and other French overseas territories where the law’s rules were applied. State Accountability on Health: French lawmakers also backed a bill recognizing the state’s partial responsibility for long-term harm from the pesticide chlordecone (Kepone) in Martinique and Guadeloupe, where contamination is widespread and linked to serious cancers. Regional Justice & ADR: OECS and the OHADAC Regional Arbitration Centre (CARO) are set to launch June 10 training to strengthen arbitration and alternative dispute resolution across the Eastern Caribbean, with French and OECS officials attending. Sargassum Management Visit: An OECS delegation is studying sargassum strategies in Martinique and Guadeloupe (June 1–4), focusing on collection and turning seaweed into value-added products. Security & Anti-Drug Ops: A French Navy operation in the Caribbean seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat, with suspects detained and the case handed to Colombian authorities. Disaster Response Drills: “Operation Caribbean 26” continues until June 4, training French forces and RSMA units from Martinique and Guadeloupe for cyclone-scale humanitarian disaster relief.

France’s Colonial Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, the slavery-era decree that legally treated enslaved people as “movable property.” The debate was emotional, with Martinique lawmaker Steevy Gustave breaking down as lawmakers acknowledged the law’s long afterlife despite slavery ending in 1848. Reparations Still Unsettled: Macron backed repeal and called the two-century “silence” an “offense,” but the bill contains no reparations plan—only a requirement for reporting and renewed attention to how slavery is taught. Regional Security at Sea: In Martinique, a French Navy operation (“Royal Toucan”) with Dutch and Dominican air support seized 737kg of cocaine from a speedboat; two suspects were detained and the case handed to Colombian authorities. Regional Justice Training: OHADAC–CARO will officially launch June 10 in the Eastern Caribbean, aiming to expand arbitration and ADR capacity across Martinique, Guadeloupe, and neighboring states. Aviation Politics: Caribbean Airlines’ pullout from St. Kitts and Nevis is reported as made without government consultation, pushing officials to find an alternative partner.

Regional Justice & ADR: The OHADAC–CARO training programmes will be officially launched on Wednesday 10 June 2026, bringing arbitration and mediation capacity-building to the Eastern Caribbean, including Martinique, with support from France’s AFD and the OECS. Anti-Drug Operations in the Antilles: A French Navy operation (“Royal Toucan”), backed by Dutch and Dominican maritime patrol aircraft, seized 737kg of cocaine after boarding a suspect unflagged speedboat near Fort-de-France; two suspects were detained and the case handed to Colombian authorities. Disaster-Response Readiness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until 4 June, with Martinique’s RSMA units directly under FAA command as forces train for large-scale cyclone humanitarian response. Aviation & Connectivity Pressure: Caribbean Airlines’ St Kitts withdrawal is reported as having happened without consultation, while regional carriers move toward new interline and hub-based realignment affecting routes that include Martinique. France’s Colonial Law Repealed: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, ending a slavery-era legal framework that treated enslaved people as “movable property,” with Martinique MP Steevy Gustave speaking emotionally as reparations remain debated.

French Colonial Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the 1685 “Code Noir,” the slavery-era decree that legally treated enslaved people as “movable property,” with emotional testimony from Martinique MP Steevy Gustave; the bill now heads to the Senate, and lawmakers say it’s symbolic but forces a reckoning with how colonial law still echoes in racism, education, and overseas territories. Regional Aviation & Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines’ St. Kitts withdrawal is sparking political friction after officials said the government wasn’t consulted, while a wider regional shift is underway: LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes have signed an interline deal effective June 1, as service changes reshape routes to hubs like Antigua, Barbados, and Sint Maarten. Disaster Response Readiness: France’s Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” through June 4, with Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units supporting multinational disaster relief training. Climate Pressure on the Region: Caribbean islands face worsening drought and heat linked to a strong El Niño pattern, threatening water supplies, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Martinique-Linked Culture & Trade: A working session on development projects with France highlights cooperation priorities, while Saint Lucia is pushing trade ties with Martinique as a gateway to EU exports.

Disaster Readiness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles (FAA) are running “Operation Caraïbes 26” until June 4, a multinational drill for humanitarian aid and disaster relief, with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s RSMA units placed under FAA command as forces practice responding to a simulated Category 4 cyclone. Regional Aviation Politics: Caribbean Airlines’ pullout from St Kitts and Nevis (and Dominica) is sparking political friction: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says the government was not consulted, while officials scramble to secure replacement service. Aviation Realignment: A new LIAT 2020–Air Caraïbes interline deal takes effect June 1, the same day Caribbean Airlines exits key markets and cuts frequency to Martinique and Guadeloupe—another sign of a reshaped regional network. French Law & Martinique Memory: In Paris, France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, the slavery-era legal code that treated enslaved people as “movable property,” with the Senate next. Local Governance & Justice: A Martinique-linked debate over “France” and lived inequality continues to surface in commentary on education and access. Trade Links: Saint Lucia is pushing stronger trade and investment cooperation with Martinique as a gateway to EU exports.