AGP Executive Report

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously backed 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 a Senate vote next and an interministerial mission planned to assess cleanup and remediation. Slavery Law Repeal: In a rare 254-0 vote, lawmakers moved to repeal the Code Noir, the 1685 decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property”; the Senate still must approve, and reparations remain politically contested. Regional Justice Training: OHADAC’s CARO Arbitration Centre, with the OECS and France’s ambassador in attendance, will launch June 10 training to strengthen arbitration and ADR access across the Eastern Caribbean. Air Links for Guadeloupe: Liat Air will launch a direct Pointe-à-Pitre–Montego Bay route from July 14, while Air France continues its unusual Miami–Guadeloupe Airbus A320 service as part of a wider island-hopping network. Disaster Response Drills: “Operation Caraïbes 26” continues training multinational forces for cyclone-scale humanitarian relief, with RSMA units from Martinique and Guadeloupe under the FAA for the exercise. Regional Aviation Politics: A St. Kitts tourism minister says Caribbean Airlines’ withdrawal from St. Kitts and Nevis was made without consultation, even as talks to secure a replacement airline move forward.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to recognize the state’s “share of responsibility” for the health, moral, environmental and economic harm caused by chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with the Senate already approving; the law sets decontamination goals, research priorities, and support for affected fishermen and farmers, while an interministerial mission is set to assess remediation. Regional Justice Training: OHADAC’s CARO arbitration centre, with the OECS and France’s support, will launch June 10 training on arbitration and ADR across the Eastern Caribbean, aiming to make dispute resolution more accessible for businesses and investors. Aviation Links & Disruptions: Air France continues an unusual Miami–Pointe-à-Pitre Airbus A320 route, while regional carriers’ reshuffling is also reshaping connectivity, including LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes’ new interline deal effective June 1. Security & Disaster Readiness: Antilles forces are running Operation Caraïbes 26, a multinational disaster-response exercise simulating a major cyclone and involving RSMA units from Martinique and Guadeloupe. Symbolic Colonial Reform: France moved closer to fully repealing the Code Noir after the National Assembly’s 254-0 vote, a step tied to ongoing debates over reparations and how slavery’s legacy is addressed. Travel to Jamaica: Liat Air is launching the first direct Pointe-à-Pitre–Montego Bay flights starting July 14, twice weekly, timed ahead of Reggae Sumfest.

Direct Air Link: Liat Air is launching the first-ever nonstop service between Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Montego Bay (Jamaica) starting July 14, with flights twice weekly each way, timed ahead of Reggae Sumfest. Chlordecone Accountability: France’s Parliament has unanimously adopted a bill recognizing the State’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone pesticide scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, citing widespread contamination and long-term health harm, while stopping short of full liability and pushing compensation into a separate legal framework. Air Connectivity Watch: Air France’s Miami–Pointe-à-Pitre Airbus A320 route continues as part of its island-hopping network, while regional aviation realignment accelerates amid carrier withdrawals and new interline arrangements. Regional Justice Training: The OHADAC Regional Arbitration Centre and the OECS will launch June 10 training on arbitration and ADR across the Eastern Caribbean, including Guadeloupe and Martinique, aiming to strengthen access to economic justice. Disaster Response Drills: “Operation Caraïbes 26” continues through June 4, training multinational forces for cyclone-scale humanitarian assistance, with RSMA units from Martinique and Guadeloupe under FAA command. French Colonial Law: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery decree, a symbolic but emotionally charged step with Guadeloupe and Martinique lawmakers pushing for recognition beyond symbolism. Guadeloupe/Martinique Sargassum Mission: 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. Legal Transfer in Guadeloupe: The Basse-Terre Court of Appeal authorized the extradition of John Daghita to the United States over an alleged $46 million cryptocurrency fraud.

Chlordecone Accountability: French MPs voted unanimously to force the state to acknowledge partial responsibility for the long-term harm caused by the chlordecone pesticide in Guadeloupe and Martinique, after health warnings were ignored for decades; with nearly 90% contamination cited, the bill links the toxin to cancers and other serious health effects. Regional Justice Training: The OHADAC Regional Arbitration Centre (CARO) and the OECS will launch June 10 training on arbitration and ADR across the Eastern Caribbean, with French officials and Sir Dennis Byron attending, aiming to make dispute resolution more accessible for businesses and investors. Sargassum Study Mission: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe June 1–4 to review local sargassum management and explore value-added uses, supported by the EU and OECS. Air Connectivity Watch: Air France keeps an unusual Miami–Guadeloupe Airbus A320 route, while regional aviation continues to shift amid airline pullouts and new interline deals. Code Noir Repeal: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the 1685 Code Noir slavery edict, a symbolic but historic step as the Senate still must approve. Guadeloupe Court Case: A Basse-Terre Court of Appeal authorized the extradition of John Daghita to the United States over a reported $46 million cryptocurrency fraud. Disaster Response Drills: “Operation Caraïbes 26” continues through June 4, training Antilles forces for multinational disaster relief after a simulated major cyclone.

French 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 move is largely symbolic—slavery was abolished in 1848—but lawmakers were shocked the law stayed on the books, and the debate turned emotional, with Guadeloupe and Martinique lawmakers speaking as descendants of those affected. The bill now heads to the Senate; it stops short of reparations, though it would require reporting on the legacy of colonial law and how slavery is taught in schools. Regional Justice & Capacity: In the Eastern Caribbean, OHADAC’s arbitration centre (CARO) and the OECS will officially launch training programmes on arbitration and ADR in Guadeloupe, Martinique and other member states on June 10, backed by the EU and AFD. Disaster Response Drills: The Armed Forces in the Antilles continue “Operation Caraïbes 26” until June 4, training multinational humanitarian disaster relief after a simulated major cyclone, with RSMA units from Martinique and Guadeloupe under FAA command. Regional Aviation Shockwaves: Caribbean Airlines’ pullout from St. Kitts and Nevis is reported to have happened without consultation, raising concerns about connectivity; regional observers also point to a wider realignment in Caribbean air travel around emerging hubs. Sargassum Cooperation: A nine-state OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe June 1–4 to study sargassum management and develop value-added uses, supported by the EU.

French Politics & Justice: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the 1685 “Code Noir,” the slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property.” The move is widely seen as symbolic, with no reparations included, but it now heads to the Senate and would require reporting on slavery’s lasting impact on racism, discrimination, and how the history is taught. Regional Security & Disaster Response: In the Antilles, Armed Forces are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, a multinational disaster-relief exercise simulating a major cyclone and involving units from Martinique and Guadeloupe under the FAA. Regional Aviation: Caribbean Airlines’ pullout from St. Kitts and Nevis is sparking political fallout, with tourism minister Marsha Henderson saying the government wasn’t consulted; officials now seek an alternative airline partner. Regional Legal Training: OHADAC and the CARO Regional Arbitration Centre will officially launch training programmes on arbitration and ADR across the Eastern Caribbean on June 10, including Guadeloupe and Martinique.

French Colonial Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the 1685 Code Noir, the slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property.” The move is largely symbolic but emotionally charged, with Guadeloupe MP Max Mathiasin and Martinique lawmaker Steevy Gustave calling it a step toward “remembrance, justice and recognition,” while President Macron warned against “false promises” on reparations. The bill now heads to the Senate, and if adopted would require reporting on the law’s legacy in overseas territories and how slavery is taught in schools. Regional Aviation Shock: In St. Kitts and Nevis, Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says Caribbean Airlines’ withdrawal from the route was made without consulting the government, sparking concern over connectivity; she says alternative services are being pursued. Disaster Response Training: The Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, a multinational exercise simulating a major cyclone and testing humanitarian disaster relief coordination across the region. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight: A Guadeloupean artist profile highlights how cultural life across the French Caribbean still feels shaped by “là-bas” inequality—access to mainland stages and audiences remains a political and social issue. Justice Case in Guadeloupe: The Basse-Terre Court of Appeal authorized the extradition of John Daghita, accused in the U.S. of a $46 million cryptocurrency fraud, after his arrest in Saint-Martin.

Regional Aviation Shake-Up: Caribbean Airlines’ pullout from St. Kitts and Nevis (and Dominica) is now official, with Trinidad and Tobago citing route losses and saying some services were launched without solid commercial justification—while St. Kitts Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says her government was not consulted before the announcement. Disaster Response Readiness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, a multinational disaster-relief drill simulating a major cyclone and using Guadeloupe and Martinique RSMA units under FAA command. France’s Colonial Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery edicts, a symbolic but long-awaited legal cleanup tied to ongoing debates over racism and reparations; the Senate still must approve. Guadeloupe Link in Justice: A Guadeloupe-based court authorized the extradition of a suspect arrested in Saint-Martin over a $46 million crypto fraud case, sending him to face U.S. charges.

Disaster Preparedness: France’s Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, a multinational drill simulating a major Category 4 cyclone and testing humanitarian disaster response across borders, with Guadeloupe and Martinique RSMA units placed under FAA command. Regional Aviation Shock: In St. Kitts and Nevis, Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says Caribbean Airlines’ withdrawal from the route was announced without consulting the government, raising concerns for travellers and regional commuters while officials scramble to secure replacements. Network Realignment: A wider regional aviation commentary points to structural changes as Caribbean Airlines cuts markets and LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes launch an interline deal from June 1, with new “hub” dynamics shaping connectivity. French Colonial Law: In Paris, France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery edicts, a symbolic but long-awaited step that still leaves the Senate to approve and reparations debates unresolved. Guadeloupe Justice Link: In Guadeloupe, the Basse-Terre Court of Appeal authorized the extradition of John Daghita to the United States over a reported $46 million cryptocurrency fraud case.

Regional Aviation Realignment: Caribbean Airlines’ latest network cuts are set to hit Dominica, St. Kitts and the Ogle-Suriname corridor from June 1, with frequencies halved to Martinique and Guadeloupe—while LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes have signed an interline deal starting the same day, letting passengers book across both networks on one ticket. Local Governance & Connectivity: In St. Kitts and Nevis, Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says Caribbean Airlines withdrew without prior consultation, raising concerns for travellers and regional commuters as officials scramble for replacement partners. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight (Justice): France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, the slavery-era law that treated enslaved people as “movable property,” a symbolic step that still heads to the Senate and includes reporting duties on colonial legacy. Court & Extradition: The Basse-Terre Court of Appeal authorized the extradition of John Daghita to the United States over an alleged $46 million cryptocurrency fraud. Environment & Regional Cooperation: SARSEA meetings in Dominica bring together regional stakeholders to coordinate sargassum management, with follow-up field work planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1.

French Colonial Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to repeal the 1685 “Code Noir,” the slavery-era legal code that treated enslaved people as “movable property” and enabled brutal punishments—an overdue symbolic step after slavery ended in 1848, with the bill now heading to the Senate and requiring a government report on the lasting impact on overseas territories and how slavery is taught in schools. Regional Air Connectivity: In the Eastern Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis tourism minister Marsha Henderson says Caribbean Airlines withdrew its St. Kitts service without prior consultation, raising travel and business concerns while officials seek alternative partners. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight: The French debate also features Guadeloupe MP Max Mathiasin as the bill’s sponsor, framing the repeal as remembrance and recognition while stopping short of a reparations plan in the text. Guadeloupe-Linked Mobility: A separate report highlights Air France’s island-hopping network that can route via Guadeloupe, underscoring how Caribbean travel links keep evolving.

Code Noir Repeal: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to formally repeal the 1685 Code Noir, the slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property” and enabled brutal abuse—an overdue symbolic step after slavery was abolished in 1848, with Guadeloupe MP Max Mathiasin backing the move while debates on reparations remain cautious and the Senate still must vote. Guadeloupe Court & Extradition: In Guadeloupe, the Basse-Terre Court of Appeal authorized the extradition of American John Daghita to the United States over a reported $46 million cryptocurrency fraud, following his March arrest in Saint-Martin and detention since. Regional Air Connectivity Shock: Caribbean Airlines route cuts are rippling across the Eastern Caribbean: St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica services are set to end June 1, with reduced flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe—St. Kitts officials say the government wasn’t consulted, while the airline points to losses and network restructuring.

Code Noir Repeal: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to formally repeal the 1685 Code Noir, the slavery-era decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property,” after centuries in which the text lingered on the books even after abolition. The debate turned emotional, with lawmakers from the French Caribbean—including Guadeloupe MP Max Mathiasin and Martinique MP Steevy Gustave—arguing the move is about recognition and remembrance, not erasing history, while stopping short of reparations demands. Regional Airlift Shock: In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister Eli Zakour says state carrier Caribbean Airlines will cut routes and slash frequencies from June 1, ending services to Dominica and St Kitts and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, citing more than US$18.8m in losses tied to the 2023 expansion—sparking fresh debate across the OECS on who will fill the gap.

French Colonial Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to formally repeal the “Code noir” (Black Code), the 1685 royal edicts that treated enslaved people as “movable property” and enabled brutal punishments—an overdue symbolic step after slavery was abolished in 1848; the bill now heads to the Senate, with supporters also pushing for government reporting on colonial law’s lasting effects in overseas territories and in French society. Regional Airlift Shock: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and frequencies from June 1, discontinuing service to Dominica and St. Kitts and ending the Ogle–Guyana to Suriname corridor, while reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves tied to reported losses of more than US$18.8 million from the 2023 expansion and raising fresh questions across the Eastern Caribbean about who will fill the travel gap. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight: Guadeloupe MP Max Mathiasin sponsored the Code noir repeal push, underscoring how the vote is being framed as remembrance and recognition for Caribbean descendants.

Slavery Law Repeal in France: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to formally repeal the 1685 “Code Noir,” the colonial decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property” and backed brutal punishments—an overdue legal clean-up nearly two centuries after slavery was abolished in 1848. The move is largely symbolic but comes with a requirement for government reporting on the lasting effects of colonial law on Guadeloupe and other overseas territories, while lawmakers stopped short of reparations demands. Regional Airlift Shock: In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister Eli Zakour says state-owned Caribbean Airlines will cut loss-making routes from June 1—ending service to Dominica and St Kitts, discontinuing the Guyana–Suriname corridor, and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—after losses tied to the 2023 expansion exceeded US$18.8 million, with passengers offered rebooking or refunds as the airline moves toward a codeshare deal.

Regional Airlift Shock: Trinidad and Tobago’s state carrier Caribbean Airlines will cut routes and slash frequencies from June 1, withdrawing from Dominica and St. Kitts and ending the Guyana–Suriname service, while reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—moves tied to reported losses of over US$18.84m from the 2023 expansion and framed as a push for “operational reliability” and a codeshare deal. Sargassum Coordination: In Dominica, SARSEA meetings (May 26–28) bring together ministries, private sector and civil society to shape national sargassum plans, with follow-up field work planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. French Slavery Law & Reparations: In France, President Emmanuel Macron backed a symbolic repeal of royal decrees governing slavery in French colonies and urged caution on reparations, warning against “false promises,” as lawmakers move the bill forward. Guadeloupe Courtroom Freedom: The Pointe-à-Pitre criminal court acquitted Guadeloupean artist François Moulin (“Blow”) and two organizers over a Macron-resembling painting case, amid ongoing sensitivity around colonial-era legacies. Local Community Spotlight: A major 100th-birthday celebration for Urbain Javois drew family and officials at Grand Case Beach Club, with a public health minister sending congratulations.