AGP Executive Report

France Slavery Law Repeal: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to formally repeal the “Code noir” (Black Code), a 17th-century set of royal edicts that treated enslaved people as “movable property” and enabled abuse and corporal punishment—an overdue legal cleanup as the Senate still has to approve the measure. Martinique Link: The debate included Martinique MP Steevy Gustave, who said no vote alone can repair centuries of harm, while the bill would also require reporting on the lasting effects of colonial law on racism and education. Regional Air Travel Shock: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and reducing frequencies from June 1, ending services to Dominica and St Kitts and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, citing major losses and a network overhaul. Health & Medicines: PAHO/WHO and the OECS-PPS will hold a two-day workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28-29) to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean. Sargassum Coordination: SARSEA meetings in Dominica (May 26-28) will shape national plans for managing sargassum, with follow-up field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1.

Regional Airlift Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines will cut several routes from June 1, ending service to Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis, plus the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves tied to sustained losses and a push for “operational reliability” and long-term stability. Passenger Impact: Travellers booked beyond the cut-off dates will be contacted directly and offered rebooking on alternative regional services, partner connections, full refunds for unused portions, or travel credit (subject to fare rules). Codeshare Hope: The airline says it’s working to finalize a codeshare with a regional partner to widen destination access via coordinated schedules and integrated ticketing. Health & Medicines: In Saint Lucia, PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a workshop (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean. Environment: SARSEA meetings in Dominica (May 26–28) focus on sargassum management, with field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Trade Talk: Saint Lucia and Martinique are exploring stronger trade links, including import-export facilitation for 15 products.

Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines will cut several regional routes from June 1, ending service to Dominica and St Kitts and discontinuing the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor; it will also reduce flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, with affected passengers offered rebooking, refunds, or travel credit as the airline cites long-term financial stability and operational reliability. Regional Connectivity Debate: The cuts are already sparking fresh discussion across the Eastern Caribbean about who will fill the airlift gap, as observers point to LIAT 2020 as a potential beneficiary while CAL works toward a codeshare deal to widen destination access. Sargassum Coordination: More than 60 environmental professionals and stakeholders are meeting in Dominica under the SARSEA programme (May 26–28) to shape national strategic plans for sargassum management, with follow-up field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Local Trade Links: France’s Eastern Caribbean ambassador says stronger trade ties between Saint Lucia and Martinique are in motion, including import-export facilitation for 15 products. Youth Sport: Saint-Martin hosted the inaugural Sister Islands Basketball Tournament (U18), bringing teams including Martinique and others to develop talent and strengthen regional cooperation.

Aviation Shock: Caribbean Airlines says that from June 1 it will cut flights to Dominica–Suriname, St Kitts–Suriname, and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, while reducing service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—a major hit for intra-Caribbean travel. The airline says passengers with bookings beyond the cut-off dates will be contacted and offered rebooking, refunds, or travel credit, and it is working on a codeshare deal to widen options once approved. Caribbean Spotlight: Grenada keeps its horticultural momentum, winning another gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show for the ninth straight year, with a display celebrating “Isle of Spice” and the island’s flowers, foliage and spices. Regional Environment: In Dominica, regional experts are meeting under SARSEA to push sargassum management plans that will feed into field work starting June 1 in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Caribbean Airlines Route Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines says it will cut several regional links from June 1, ending flights between Dominica and Suriname, St. Kitts and Suriname, and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, while reducing service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves tied to sustained losses and a push for “operational reliability” and long-term stability. Passenger Support: The airline says booked travellers will be contacted and offered rebooking on other regional services, partner connections, full refunds for unused portions, or travel credit. Regional Fallout: The cuts are already reigniting debate over who will fill the widening airlift gap across the Eastern Caribbean. Local Angle: In the background, Martinique and Saint Lucia are also exploring deeper trade ties, with import-export facilitation discussed for 15 product categories. Culture & Community: A diversity film festival in Nicosia closed with two final outdoor screenings, including a Martinique-linked story about Frantz Fanon.

Aviation Shock: Caribbean Airlines will cut key regional links from June 1, ending flights to Dominica, St. Kitts and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, while reducing service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves blamed on sustained losses and aimed at “operational reliability” and long-term stability. Passenger Fallout: Travellers booked on affected dates will be contacted directly and offered rebooking on alternative routes, partner connections, full refunds for unused portions, or travel credit. Regional Debate: The cuts follow Trinidad’s transport minister saying the airline’s 2023 expansion racked up more than US$18.8 million in losses, reigniting questions about who will fill the growing intra-Caribbean airlift gap. Trade Talks: In a separate development, France’s ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean says stronger trade ties between Saint Lucia and Martinique are being discussed, including import-export facilitation for 15 products.

Caribbean Airlines Route Shake-Up: Starting June 1, Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines will stop flights to Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis, and end the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname service, while cutting Martinique and Guadeloupe service to twice weekly. The airline says it’s aiming for operational reliability and long-term financial stability, after losses tied to its 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion. Passenger Support: travellers with bookings on affected dates will be contacted and offered rebooking, refunds, or travel credit, with help via airline partners and a planned codeshare. Regional Debate: the cuts are already reigniting the question of who will fill the widening intra-Caribbean airlift gap, as LIAT 2020 is mentioned as a possible beneficiary. Local Sport: Saint Martin’s U18s topped the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament in Marigot, boosting youth sport visibility across the region.

Regional Aviation Shake-up: Caribbean Airlines says that from June 1 it will discontinue flights on the Dominica, St. Kitts and Ogle (Guyana) to Suriname routes, and cut service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—offering rebooking, refunds, or travel credit for affected passengers, while also pushing a new codeshare deal to widen connections. Political Accountability: The cuts follow Trinidad and Tobago’s Transport Minister Eli Zakour pointing to losses tied to Caribbean Airlines’ 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion, with a route review concluding some new links lacked commercial justification. Local Sports Spotlight: In Marigot, the Sister Islands Basketball Tournament (U18) kicked off at Jean Louis Vanterpool Stadium, bringing teams from across the region including Saint-Martin, Martinique and Martinique’s neighbours, with youth development and regional cooperation front and centre. Culture & Community: France’s ongoing reckoning with slavery legacies continues to make headlines, while Guadeloupe’s artist François Moulin was acquitted in a case tied to a Macron-related artwork.

Caribbean Airlines Restructuring: Caribbean Airlines is cutting regional routes and reducing flights from June 1 after losses tied to its 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion topped US$128 million, with Transport Minister Eli Zakour saying some routes were launched without solid commercial backing. Route Cuts: CAL will discontinue Dominica, St. Kitts and the Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname corridor, and reduce Martinique and Guadeloupe service to twice weekly; affected passengers are being offered rebooking, refunds, or travel credit, and the airline says it’s working toward a codeshare to widen options. Tourism Spotlight: Travel and Tour World named the Top 30 Wellness Tourism Destinations for 2026 across the Americas and Caribbean, highlighting a shift toward shorter, nature-focused getaways. Sports Listings: Fulham vs Newcastle is set for Sunday coverage with global channel options listed.

Aviation Cuts Hit the Eastern Caribbean: Caribbean Airlines is trimming its network from June 1, withdrawing service to Dominica and St Kitts and ending the Ogle (Guyana) to Suriname route, while reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe flights to twice weekly—moves blamed on sustained losses and a push for “operational reliability” and long-term financial stability. Passenger Fallout: CAL says affected travellers will be contacted and offered re-accommodation, alternative itineraries, refunds, or travel credit, as it also works toward a codeshare deal to widen connections. Regional Context: The airline’s restructuring follows earlier route shutdowns and comes as Air Antilles’ liquidation has already left parts of the French Caribbean scrambling for options. Diaspora & Community: Grenada’s diaspora homecoming is set to include “Spice Replanting Day” on June 28, aiming to restore nutmeg and spice trees damaged by recent hurricanes. Justice & Culture: In Guadeloupe, artist François Moulin was acquitted after a case tied to a Macron-related artwork, while France continues to debate how to confront slavery’s legacy.

Caribbean Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines is cutting loss-making routes from June 1, ending flights between Dominica–Suriname, St Kitts–Suriname and Ogle (Guyana)–Suriname, while reducing service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves aimed at stopping losses that have already hit several earlier routes. Regional Politics & Trust: In Bermuda, a public meeting on CARICOM full membership drew criticism that the government panel was more about pushing its agenda than taking real questions. Public Safety & Accountability: In Martinique, the big CTM disability-aid embezzlement trial begins in Fort-de-France, with allegations of forged files and siphoned funds between 2019 and 2024. Earthquake Watch: The Eastern Caribbean also reeled from recent 6.0–6.5 quakes, with tremors felt widely and no tsunami threat reported. Culture & Identity: France’s slavery-reckoning debate continues as Macron says reparations must be addressed, while MPs move to repeal the “Code Noir.”

Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines is cutting deeper into its network from June 1, withdrawing from Dominica and St Kitts, ending the nonstop Guyana–Suriname and reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe service from four weekly flights to two—moves blamed on sustained losses tied to the 2023 Eastern Caribbean expansion. Regional Context: The airline says the route changes follow a review that found some new links launched without enough commercial backing, reversing earlier growth plans. Earthquake Watch: Earlier this week, a 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean and Leeward Islands with tremors felt across multiple territories, but officials reported no tsunami threat and no immediate major damage. Culture & Justice: In Guadeloupe, artist François Moulin (“Blow”) was acquitted in a case tied to a Macron-referencing artwork, while France continues grappling with slavery’s legacy as lawmakers move to repeal the “Code Noir.”

Haiti Crisis Update: The UN warns Haiti’s situation is still “very complex,” with armed gangs controlling about 70–75% of Port-au-Prince, alongside massive displacement and a worsening humanitarian picture. Caribbean Courtroom: In Guadeloupe, the criminal court acquitted artist François Moulin (“Blow”) and two organizers over a Macron-related painting, a case that had reignited debate over freedom of expression in the French West Indies. Martinique & France’s Reckoning: France marks the 25th anniversary of the Taubira Law as lawmakers move to repeal the “Code Noir,” while President Macron says reparations for slavery’s legacy must be addressed—without promising financial solutions. Eastern Caribbean Shocks: Over the past week, a run of strong earthquakes rattled islands from Antigua to St Kitts and Nevis; officials repeatedly reported no tsunami threat and no major damage. Sport & Youth: St. Maarten’s boys impressed at the PSG World Cup Tournament in Paris, finishing 5th out of 44 teams.

Justice & Memory: France is moving to repeal the “Code Noir” while President Emmanuel Macron says reparations for the slave trade must be addressed—though he offered no clear plan, warning against “false promises.” Regional Security: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled the Eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt across Martinique and nearby islands; officials reported no injuries, no major damage, and no tsunami threat. Local Courts: In Fort-de-France, the massive CTM embezzlement trial finally begins, involving alleged misuse of disability aid worth over €3.2 million. Public Service Hiring: Customs is recruiting for officer posts in the French West Indies and French Guiana to strengthen checks against drug trafficking, fraud, and smuggling. Culture & Sports: Martinique’s football youth push gets attention via Rennes’ Ludovic Blas, while Wendie Renard’s record-setting Champions League career remains in the spotlight.

Reparatory Justice Pressure: As Emmanuel Macron marks the 25th anniversary of France’s 2001 law recognizing the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity, he’s facing mounting demands to open a formal discussion on reparatory justice—amid wider anger after France and other European states abstained in a UN vote calling the transatlantic chattel slave trade the “gravest crime against humanity.” Caribbean Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt across islands including Martinique and St Kitts and Nevis; officials reported no immediate damage or injuries and said there’s no tsunami threat. Martinique Courtroom: In Fort-de-France, the major CTM embezzlement trial finally begins, tied to alleged misuse of disability aid. Grenada Spotlight: Grenada keeps racking up international wins, adding another gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the 19th time. Regional Tourism Moves: Nevis is pushing air connectivity and regional partnerships, including outreach to French Caribbean islands like Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Courtroom Spotlight: The massive embezzlement trial at Martinique’s Territorial Collectivity (CTM) finally opens in Fort-de-France, with six defendants set to face charges including alleged theft of disability aid, forged documents, money laundering and receiving stolen goods. Regional Shocks: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled the Eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt across multiple islands including Martinique and St Kitts and Nevis, and officials reported no immediate damage or tsunami threat. Tourism & Connectivity: Nevis is pushing “destination” travel with new regional partnerships and air-connectivity efforts, highlighted by Premier Mark Brantley’s promotion of Nevis culture and food at “Saveurs Caraibes” in St Barths. Culture & Pride: Grenada keeps stacking honours at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, winning another Gold Medal for its “Isle of Spice” display—its 19th overall and ninth straight win. Business Watch: Jamaica’s football federation is searching for a new coach after another World Cup failure, while First Rock Real Estate reports a return to profit but says cash strain and debt restructuring remain.