AGP Executive Report

Caribbean Airlines Cuts Loss-Making Routes: Trinidad and Tobago’s transport minister Eli Zakour says Caribbean Airlines will withdraw from several markets and reduce frequencies to stop losses topping TT$120 million, including pulling out of Dominica and St. Kitts and ending the Guyana–Suriname non-stop service from June 1, 2026, while cutting Martinique and Guadeloupe flights from four weekly to two. Regional Trade & Ports: Curaçao hosted the 24th Caribbean Shipping Executives’ Conference, putting digitalization, maritime security, and ports as logistics hubs front and center. French Slavery Reckoning: Emmanuel Macron backed a symbolic repeal of royal decrees tied to slavery and urged “no false promises” on reparations, as France moves toward repealing the Code Noir. Guadeloupe Courtroom Moment: Artist François Moulin (Blow) was acquitted after a prosecution over a Macron-resembling decapitated portrait tied to a wider chlordecone dispute. Tourism Momentum: Antigua and Barbuda reported a 7% rise in stayovers in Q1, while Nevis pushes air connectivity and partnerships after promoting its food and culture in St. Barts.

Reparations Debate in Focus: President Emmanuel Macron used the 25th anniversary of the Taubira Law to reopen the reparations question, saying France must address the “immense question” of repair for its role in the slave trade—but warned against “false promises” and offered no clear financial plan. Legal and Cultural Tension: In Pointe-à-Pitre, the court acquitted artist François Moulin (“Blow”) and two organizers over a Macron-resembling decapitated portrait, a case tied to the still-sensitive chlordecone fallout. Regional Environment: Expertise France and the Guadeloupe Region signed an MoU to coordinate action against the sargassum crisis, building on SARSEA and SARG’COOP II with about €11 million in investment. Tourism Momentum: Antigua and Barbuda reported a 7% rise in stayovers in Q1, while Nevis pushed air-connectivity and regional ties after a St. Barth delegation. Cybersecurity Watch: France’s tourism sector faces more fallout after Gîtes de France disclosed a cyberattack affecting customer booking data, including in Guadeloupe.

Tourism Momentum: Antigua and Barbuda says first-quarter stayovers rose 7%, reaching 110,832 visitors—up 6,989 year-on-year—with March leading (+8%). The U.S. remains the biggest source market (46%), followed by Europe (34%) and Canada (12%), while officials point to new cruise capacity and a $30m terminal opening on Jan. 24 as the next lift for 2026. Regional Environment: Guadeloupe and Expertise France signed an MoU to strengthen a coordinated response to the sargassum crisis, tying together SARSEA and SARG’COOP II under about €11m of regional investment. Reckoning With Slavery: France’s Taubira Law anniversary is driving fresh moves in the National Assembly to repeal the “Code Noir,” while Macron says reparations must be addressed—without promising a specific financial plan. Basse-Terre Watch: Guadeloupe is named among areas potentially affected by a major Gîtes de France cyberattack, with customer booking data exposed but no banking details reported.

Reparatory Justice Pressure: Macron is facing fresh calls to open a formal process on reparatory justice over France’s role in the transatlantic slave trade as he prepares a major speech marking 25 years since the crime was recognized in French law—amid rising anger after France abstained at the UN and growing far-right pressure ahead of 2027. Disaster Readiness Warning: UNESCO is warning that a tsunami in the Mediterranean is “inevitable,” stressing that only preparedness and evacuation planning can save lives. Tourism Momentum: Antigua and Barbuda is leaning hard into its tourism boom, hosting the CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 and touting stronger visitor growth, airlift, and hotel investment—while Nevis pushes regional air connectivity and partnerships, including outreach tied to St. Barth events. Local/Regional Notes: A St. Kitts and Nevis sailor, Greyson Burrell, represented the twin-island at the St. Barth Mini Bucket Clinic and Regatta, finishing 9th overall. Cybersecurity Spillover: France’s tourism sector is still reeling from cyberattacks, with Gîtes de France reporting a breach affecting booking data for some clients, including parts of Guadeloupe.

Tourism Push: Antigua and Barbuda just wrapped up the CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 for a second straight year, using the event in St. John’s to spotlight visitor growth, expanded airlift and cruise arrivals, and fresh hotel investment ahead of CHOGM 2026. Regional Connectivity: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley is also working the travel circuit—promoting Nevis at “Saveurs Caraibes” in St. Barth and signaling new collaboration with Guadeloupe and Martinique to deepen cultural ties and improve air links. Housing & Colonial Legacy: At WUF13 in Baku, participants adopted a statement linking colonial governance to today’s housing inequality in overseas territories, including places administered by France. Cybersecurity Watch: France’s tourism sector is still reeling from cyberattacks—Gîtes de France says hackers accessed booking data for potentially 389,000 clients, with Guadeloupe listed among affected departments. Earthquake Alert: A 6.0 quake was reported across Antigua and Barbuda today, with impacts noted across multiple communities.

Caribbean Travel Marketplace Wrap: Antigua and Barbuda just closed the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 for a second straight year, hosting global travel trade, tour operators, media, and airline partners at the American University of Antigua—an on-island push to turn meetings into bookings. Nevis Air Connectivity Push: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley used the “Saveurs Caraibes” event in St Barth to market Nevis food, culture, and music, and signaled new collaboration with Guadeloupe and Martinique to strengthen regional air links and experiential tourism. Housing Inequality Debate: At WUF13 in Baku, participants adopted a statement tying colonial legacies to today’s housing shortages and inequality in overseas territories, including places administered by France. Cyberattack Fallout: In France, booking giant Gîtes de France says it was hit by a cyberattack affecting up to 389,000 clients, with Guadeloupe listed among the departments potentially impacted. Earthquake Context: A 6.0 Richters quake was reported earlier in the week across Antigua and Barbuda, with local listings circulating afterward.

World Urban Forum fallout in Basse-Terre’s orbit: At WUF13 in Baku, conference participants adopted a statement linking colonial legacies to today’s housing shortages, warning that overseas territories—including those governed by France—still face structural barriers to land, infrastructure, and adequate homes. Cyber risk for island tourism: France’s Gîtes de France says it was hit by a cyberattack, with hackers accessing booking data for up to 389,000 clients (no banking details), including some Guadeloupe departments—raising fresh concerns for local visitors and operators. Regional shock: A 6.0 earthquake struck Antigua and Barbuda, with reports listing tremors felt across parts of the Eastern Caribbean, including Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe-linked human angle: A French divemaster based in Guadeloupe credits scuba diving with ending his panic attacks—another reminder that local expertise can travel far beyond the islands. Thin on local politics: This week’s coverage is mostly regional and international, with few direct Basse-Terre governance updates.

Cyberattack Hits Caribbean Tourism Bookings: France’s Gîtes de France says it was breached over the weekend, with hackers accessing booking data tied to up to 389,000 clients (names, stay dates, contact details, and addresses), and Guadeloupe listed among the affected areas; no banking info was taken and impacted customers are being notified by email. Earthquake Shakes the Leewards: A 6.0 quake struck Antigua and Barbuda, with reports listing tremors felt across several islands including parts of Guadeloupe. Aviation Watch: LIAT Air announced schedule adjustments due to higher fuel prices, and it also moved ahead with a new twice-weekly service to Guadeloupe after an inaugural 20-minute hop from Antigua. Security in France: In Paris, four detainees escaped from the Vincennes administrative detention centre; three were quickly recaptured and one remains at large, renewing concerns after earlier breakouts. Guadeloupe Angle: The week’s biggest local thread is that Guadeloupe appears in both the earthquake reports and the tourism booking breach list.

Cyberattack Fallout: France’s tourism hit again as Gîtes de France says hackers accessed booking data tied to up to 389,000 clients (names, stay dates, contact details), with Guadeloupe among the departments affected and emails promised to impacted customers. Earthquake Watch: A 6.0 quake struck Antigua and Barbuda, with tremors felt across parts of the Eastern Caribbean including Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe/Travel: LIAT is reshaping routes as fuel prices bite—starting twice-weekly flights to Guadeloupe after an inaugural hop from Antigua. Health & Local Life: A French divemaster based in Guadeloupe credits scuba diving with stopping his panic attacks, pointing to slow breathing and present-moment focus underwater. Immigration & Security (France): Four detainees escaped Paris’s Vincennes administrative detention centre; three were quickly recaptured, one remains at large. Caribbean Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic floated a Transcaribe framework for regional cooperation with overseas territories, including Guadeloupe, aiming at shared development and tackling issues like sargassum.

Cybersecurity Shock: France’s tourism sector is hit again as Gîtes de France joins two other booking platforms affected by cyberattacks, saying hackers accessed booking data tied to potentially 389,000 clients (names, stay dates and nights, emails, phone numbers, and postal addresses) with no banking details taken; impacted customers are set to be emailed on May 18, and Guadeloupe is among the French departments reportedly affected. Regional Context: The week also brought a reminder of how fast disruption travels in the Caribbean—LIAT adjusted flight operations amid global fuel price pressure, while the Bahamas received a Moody’s upgrade to “Ba3” with a positive outlook. Local Relevance: For Basse-Terre, the key takeaway is practical: tourism data security is now a direct political and economic issue, not just a tech story.

Earthquake Watch: A 6.0 Richter quake hit Antigua and Barbuda, with multiple strong readings also felt across Guadeloupe—down to Sainte-Rose, Lamentin, Baie-Mahault, and Point-à-Pitre—plus Montserrat, according to the latest felt report. Regional Mobility & Cooperation: Dominica’s UNESCO-backed classroom initiative highlights growing cross-island movement, using storytelling and group activities to bridge language gaps between Guadeloupe and Dominica students. Air Travel Pressure: LIAT says it’s adjusting Caribbean flight operations as global fuel prices rise, while also launching twice-weekly flights to Guadeloupe. Economic Signals: Moody’s upgraded The Bahamas’ long-term rating to “Ba3,” turning the outlook positive on stronger fiscal performance and financing. Caribbean Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic floated the Transcaribe Agreement to boost trade, food security, and connectivity across overseas territories, with talks aimed at a deal by year-end.

Earthquake Shock: A 6.0 Richter earthquake hit Antigua and Barbuda, with strong shaking reported across the region including Guadeloupe (notably Sainte-Rose, Lamentin, Baie-Mahault, Pointe-à-Pitre) and nearby islands—an urgent reminder for Basse-Terre to review readiness and communications. Regional Air Connectivity: LIAT Air is adjusting operations amid global fuel-price pressure, and it’s also pushing connectivity—launching twice-weekly flights between Antigua and Guadeloupe, with a formal ribbon-cutting and water salute on arrival. Caribbean Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic floated the Transcaribe Agreement, aiming for a shared development zone across overseas territories—trade, food security, and tackling issues like sargassum. Culture & Tourism: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival wrapped with Brandy and Monica, while earlier nights drew major crowds for Tems and regional acts—another sign the islands keep betting on live culture to pull visitors.

Earthquake Shock: A 6.0 Richter earthquake struck Antigua and Barbuda today, with reports listing multiple tremors across the islands including Antigua and Barbuda and several points in Guadeloupe, rattling the region and likely complicating travel and local services. Regional Connectivity Watch: LIAT Air is pushing ahead despite fuel-price pressure, launching and adjusting routes—most recently an Antigua–Guadeloupe service—signaling airlines are treating intra-Caribbean links as a priority. Culture & Spotlight: Saint Lucia’s Jazz & Arts Festival wrapped up with big-name performances, keeping tourism and local talent in the spotlight. Ongoing Context: Haiti’s instability continues to shape life and sport, while broader Caribbean cooperation ideas—like regional integration frameworks—keep circulating in policy circles.

MMA Spotlight: Salahdine Parnasse, the KSW lightweight champion on a 22-2 run, is set to fight Kenny Cross on Netflix’s Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano card today—bringing fresh attention to the French-based star ahead of a high-visibility bout. Caribbean Connectivity: LIAT Air has officially launched its Antigua–Guadeloupe link, with a twice-weekly service starting after a 20-minute inaugural hop and a ribbon-cutting welcome in Pointe-à-Pitre—Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism leadership calling it a “Caribbean family” bridge for tourism and business. Regional Politics & Policy: The week also carried broader Caribbean cooperation talk, including a proposal for a Transcaribe-style regional framework among overseas territories, plus ongoing coverage of Caribbean institutions and governance moves. Elsewhere in France: Paris’s Vincennes immigrant detention centre saw another escape attempt, with police recapturing three and still hunting one.

Haiti Football Meets Crisis Reality: Haiti’s World Cup qualification story is being told through off-field hardship—armed gangs still control parts of Port-au-Prince, leaving over a million homeless and worsening food shortages—yet the Haiti FA says it’s still persuading overseas talent to represent the country, with Guadeloupe-born agent Salbert arguing football can offer hope amid trauma. Immigration Detention Under Scrutiny: In Paris, four people escaped from the Vincennes administrative detention centre; three were quickly recaptured and one remains at large, prompting a fresh prosecutor investigation and reviving concerns after earlier breakouts. Caribbean Connectivity Push: LIAT Air launched its first Antigua–Guadeloupe service, with twice-weekly flights planned, framed by Antigua and Barbuda officials as a “Caribbean family” bridge for tourism, business, and culture. Regional Cooperation Drafted: The Dominican Republic floated the Transcaribe Agreement to link Caribbean overseas territories on trade, food security, and shared challenges like sargassum. Culture on the Move: Saint Lucia’s Jazz & Arts Festival is in its finale stretch, with Brandy and Monica headlining after a weekend of major regional and international acts.

Haiti Football Amid Crisis: Haiti’s World Cup qualification story is being told through the lens of off-field chaos—gang control of Port-au-Prince, mass displacement, and food shortages—while the Haiti FA leans on overseas talent, with Guadeloupe-born agent Salbert arguing football can still give players “hope amid the trauma.” Paris Detention Breakout: In France, four immigrants escaped from the Vincennes administrative detention centre; three were quickly recaptured and one remains at large, prompting a fresh prosecutor investigation after repeated breakouts at the same facility. Regional Connectivity Push: In the Eastern Caribbean, LIAT Air officially launched its Antigua–Guadeloupe service, with twice-weekly flights expected to boost tourism and business links—while officials framed it as a “Caribbean family” integration move. Caribbean Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic floated the Transcaribe Agreement for a shared development zone across Caribbean territories, including trade, food security, and cooperation on sargassum. Local Culture Spotlight: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival wrapped with Brandy and Monica, capping a two-week run that kept local talent front and centre.