AGP Executive Report

Reparations Push in France: Macron broke a taboo by saying France must address reparations for its role in the slave trade, but he offered no clear plan—while France’s MPs move to formally repeal the “Code Noir” 25 years after the Taubira Law. Courtroom Spotlight in Martinique: The massive embezzlement trial at the CTM finally opens in Fort-de-France, tied to alleged misuse of disability aid between 2019 and 2024. Eastern Caribbean Shaken by Quakes: A 6.0 earthquake rattled multiple islands including Martinique, with no tsunami threat reported; a separate 6.5 quake also hit St Kitts and Nevis with no damage so far. Customs Hiring Across the French Caribbean: France is recruiting customs officers for the West Indies and French Guiana to boost checks against trafficking and fraud. Tourism & Rum Momentum: Nevis is promoting regional air connectivity and partnerships with French islands, while “destination distilling” keeps turning rum distilleries into travel draws.

Reparatory Justice Pressure: President Emmanuel Macron faces mounting calls to formally open discussions on reparatory justice for France’s role in the transatlantic slave trade as he marks the 25th anniversary of France’s 2001 law recognizing slavery and the slave trade as crimes against humanity. Eastern Caribbean Shaken: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled the Leeward Islands and was felt across a wide swath including Martinique, with officials reporting no immediate damage and no tsunami threat. Martinique Court Spotlight: In Fort-de-France, the major CTM embezzlement trial finally begins, tied to alleged diversion of disability aid worth over €3.2 million, with multiple defendants set to appear. Tourism & Connectivity: Nevis is pushing harder on regional air links and partnerships, including outreach to Guadeloupe and Martinique, to boost experiential tourism. Culture & Sports: Martinique youth football gets fresh attention through Stade Rennais’ Ludovic Blas, while Jamaica’s national team searches for a coach after another World Cup disappointment.

Courtroom Spotlight: The massive CTM disability-aid embezzlement trial finally opens in Fort-de-France, with six defendants facing allegations of forged files, fraudulent transfers, and money laundering tied to a scheme running from 2019 to 2024. Earthquake Watch: A 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt across Martinique and neighbors; officials reported no tsunami threat and no major damage. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has permanently grounded after a $69M debt crisis, leaving French-Caribbean travelers with fewer flight options. Tourism Push: Nevis is stepping up regional tourism links—promoting Nevis at “Saveurs Caraibes” and seeking collaboration with Guadeloupe, Martinique, and beyond. Culture & Sport: Martinique’s youth football gets a boost via Rennes’ Ludovic Blas, while Jamaica searches for a new coach after another World Cup miss. Green Pride: Grenada keeps stacking wins—its RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold brings its total to 19.

Destination Distilling: AnnaBay Club Rum is betting that the next wave of Caribbean tourism won’t just buy rum at the bar—it will want the distillery experience, turning a holiday discovery into long-term brand loyalty. Martinique Courtroom: In Fort-de-France, the trial over a massive CTM embezzlement case finally opens, with allegations tied to disability aid and claims of forged files and lavish spending. Regional Shocks: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake rattled the Eastern Caribbean and was felt across Martinique and nearby islands; officials reported no tsunami threat and no major damage so far. Tourism Push: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley is promoting air connectivity and regional partnerships, including plans to collaborate with Guadeloupe and Martinique. Water Stress: Grenada’s dry season is squeezing water production, with several facilities down sharply and some areas facing reliability risks. Culture & Pride: Grenada keeps stacking wins at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, adding another gold medal to its record run.

Horticulture Spotlight: Grenada just added another Gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London—its 19th overall and ninth straight win—thanks to “Isle of Spice,” a display blending tropical flowers, foliage, and signature spices from Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Regional Travel & Tourism: Nevis is pushing harder on air connectivity and partnerships, with Premier Mark Brantley promoting Nevis tourism at “Saveurs Caraibes” in St Barths and signaling closer ties with Martinique and Guadeloupe. Local Governance & Justice: In Martinique, the big embezzlement trial at the Fort-de-France criminal court finally opens, tied to alleged misuse of disability aid worth over €3.2 million. Disaster Watch: A 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean and was widely felt, but authorities reported no tsunami threat and no immediate major damage. Water Security: Grenada’s dry season strain is worsening—Nawasa says several water facilities are operating at critically reduced levels.

Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean again, with tremors felt across St Kitts and Nevis and as far as Martinique; authorities say there’s no tsunami threat, and officials are urging people to stick to official updates as aftershocks are monitored. Courtroom Spotlight: In Fort-de-France, the trial over a major CTM embezzlement case finally opens, with six defendants facing allegations tied to more than €3.2 million in disability aid, including forged documents and money laundering. Water Stress: In Grenada, Nawasa warns the dry season is hitting water production hard, with some facilities down sharply and at least one plant reported non-operational. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a debt-and-safety spiral, leaving fewer short-hop options for the French Caribbean. Rhum & Culture: Martinique’s Rhum Clément pushes into the U.S. with a new V.O release and a redesigned bottle, while Grenada’s Diaspora Homecoming gears up for a two-week mix of culture and business starting June 21.

Earthquake Watch: A strong magnitude 6.1 quake shook the Eastern Caribbean on Sunday morning, with tremors felt east of St. Kitts and Nevis and no injuries or damage reported so far. Coastline Concern: In Nevis, residents flagged unusually exposed shoreline at Oualie Beach and a drop in sea levels, but regional monitoring agencies have not confirmed any tsunami threat or a direct link to the coastal changes. Regional Context: The week already saw a magnitude 6.0 quake hit Antigua and Barbuda and rattle much of the Lesser Antilles, again with widespread shaking but no immediate major damage. Local Life & Business: Away from the shaking, Rhum Agricole remains in the spotlight—Martinique’s Depaz and Dillon picked up top honors in the Beverage Testing Institute awards, reinforcing the island’s global rum reputation.

Earthquake Watch: A strong 6.0 quake struck northeast of Antigua and Barbuda Saturday morning, with the epicentre about 80 km NE of St John’s (depth 31 km). Shaking was widely felt across the Eastern Caribbean—including Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Martin/Sint Maarten, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—but authorities reported no immediate injuries, major damage, or tsunami threat. Rhum Agricole Spotlight: Martinique’s Rhum Agricole kept its global momentum, with Depaz and Dillon highlighted by Beverage Testing Institute awards—reinforcing the island’s cane-juice, terroir-driven benchmark. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has shut down permanently after a court-ordered liquidation, leaving another gap in short island-to-island travel. Water Stress: Nawasa warned Grenada’s dry season is worsening, with some water facilities down sharply and supply reliability under pressure. Culture & Business: Grenada’s Diaspora Homecoming returns for two weeks starting June 21, mixing events, forums, and community activities across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful 6.0 quake struck northeast of Antigua and Barbuda Saturday morning, with the Seismic Research Centre putting it about 80 km from the islands at a depth of 31 km; strong shaking was felt across a wide swath including Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, and officials reported no immediate injuries, major damage, or tsunami threat. Rum Spotlight: Martinique’s Rhum Agricole kept its global momentum, with Depaz and Dillon highlighted in Beverage Testing Institute awards as the category’s benchmark for cane-juice character and terroir. Dry-Season Pressure: In Grenada, Nawasa says worsening dry conditions are cutting water production sharply at multiple facilities, with some plants down by as much as 60%. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has shut down permanently after a court-ordered liquidation, leaving the French Caribbean with fewer short-hop flight options. Diaspora & Culture: Grenada’s two-week Diaspora Homecoming kicks off June 21, mixing cultural events, business forums and community activities across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Earthquake Aftermath: A powerful 6.0 quake struck northeast of Antigua and Barbuda Saturday morning, shaking islands across the Eastern Caribbean and as far as Martinique, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, with officials reporting no immediate injuries or major damage and no tsunami threat. Regional Context: The Lesser Antilles sits on an active tectonic boundary, so moderate quakes are common—but this one still triggered wide concern as monitoring continues for aftershocks. Martinique Spotlight (Rum): Martinique’s Rhum Agricole kept grabbing global attention: Depaz and Dillon were recognized by the Beverage Testing Institute, and Rhum Clément also rolled out a new U.S. bottle for V.O while refreshing its aged-rum packaging. Dry-Season Pressure (Water): In Grenada, Nawasa says the dry season is worsening, with some water facilities down sharply and parts of the system facing critical reductions. Culture & Business: Grenada’s Diaspora Homecoming returns for two weeks starting June 21, mixing events, forums and community activities across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful 6.0 quake struck northeast of Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday morning, with strong shaking reported across multiple communities and felt across a wide swath of the Eastern Caribbean, including Martinique and Guadeloupe; officials say the quake was about 31 km deep and there’s no tsunami threat. Aftershocks Across the Region: Reports also mention a separate 6.5 quake rocking St. Kitts and Nevis around the same period, with no damage reported so far—so residents are likely staying alert as monitoring continues. Diaspora Focus: Grenada’s two-week Diaspora Homecoming kicks off June 21, blending culture, business forums, concerts, and community events across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Local Life & Water: Nawasa warns worsening dry-season conditions are cutting water production in Grenada, with some facilities operating at critical levels. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has shut down permanently after liquidation, leaving a travel gap for French Caribbean island connections.

Earthquake Watch: A 6.5-magnitude quake hit St Kitts and Nevis at 10:50 a.m., felt across much of the Eastern Caribbean and as far as Martinique and Puerto Rico, with no damage reported so far. Diaspora & Investment: Grenada kicks off a two-week Diaspora Homecoming from June 21, mixing culture, business forums, concerts and community events across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Health Debate: A new opinion piece challenges the “blue zones” longevity narrative, asking whether the science behind the hype really holds up. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has now shut down permanently after a debt crisis and court-ordered liquidation, leaving a fresh travel gap for French Caribbean island links. Water Stress: Nawasa warns Grenada’s dry season is pushing multiple water facilities toward critical production shortfalls.

Air Travel Shock: Air Antilles has shut down for good after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending a safety-audit collapse and leaving residents and tourists facing fewer short-hop options across the French Caribbean. Water Stress: Grenada’s Nawasa warns the dry season is cutting water production sharply, with some facilities down as much as 60% and at least one plant non-operational. Martinique Spirits Push: Rhum Clément is rolling out a new U.S. expression, V.O, and a redesigned aged-rum bottle aimed at lighter, more recyclable packaging—plus fresh branding for the collection. Caribbean Business & Credit: Moody’s upgraded The Bahamas’ long-term rating to Ba3 with a positive outlook, citing stronger fiscal performance and more durable revenue beyond tourism. Culture & Sports: Dominica’s Waitukubuli Dance Theatre marks 55 years with “Rhythms of Our Roots,” while sailing at the iQFOiL Youth & Junior Games in Torbole battled unstable weather before racing resumed. Tourism Signals: Puerto Rico and Jamaica lead the Caribbean’s official destination social media race, but the bigger growth bet is on creators and diaspora storytelling.

Air Antilles Collapse: The French-Caribbean airline has permanently shut down after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending months of uncertainty and leaving a major short-haul travel gap across Martinique, Guadeloupe and nearby islands. Water Stress: Grenada’s water authority warns dry-season impacts are worsening fast, with some facilities down sharply and parts of the system under critical strain. Rhum Clément Push: Martinique’s Rhum Clément is expanding in the U.S. with a new V.O release and rolling out a redesigned bottle across its aged range. Regional Connectivity Talks: The Dominican Republic is pitching a Transcaribe framework for shared Caribbean cooperation, including trade, food security and connectivity—bringing in territories like Martinique and Guadeloupe. Culture & Community: Dominica’s Waitukubuli Dance Theatre marks 55 years with “Rhythms of Our Roots,” while the 1-54 art fair keeps spotlighting tactile, surprising contemporary African work.

Aviation Spotlight: Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport has been named the best regional airport in Central America and the Caribbean in the Skytrax 2026 World Airport Awards, with Martinique listed among the top performers in the same category. French Caribbean Air Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending months of uncertainty and leaving a major short-haul travel gap across the French islands. Water Worries: Nawasa says the dry season is hitting Grenada’s water supply hard, with several treatment facilities down sharply and some areas facing reliability problems. Martinique Energy Push: Wavepiston has started a one-year wave data campaign in Martinique, installing a buoy to map the Atlantic wave resource ahead of a pilot wave energy project. Culture & Heritage: Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company marks 55 years in Dominica with “Rhythms of Our Roots,” while Rhum Clément rolls out a new U.S. V.O release and a refreshed bottle design.

Dominica Arts Spotlight: Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company is marking its 55th anniversary with “Rhythms of Our Roots,” bringing together senior, junior and former dancers for a Creole-heritage show mixing gospel, afro-beats, bouyon, kadanse and salsa—backed by live drumming and performances from Janae Jackson, AbiYah Yisrael, Phael Lander and Nyel Grove. Caribbean Water Watch: Nawasa warns the dry season is biting hard across the southern Caribbean, with Grenada’s water system facing production drops at multiple plants and some facilities pushed to critical reductions. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has shut down for good after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending a long struggle to keep short island flights running. Martinique Energy Push: Wavepiston has started a one-year wave data campaign in Martinique to pave the way for a pilot wave energy project. Rum & Travel Signals: Rhum Clément is rolling out a new U.S. bottle for V.O, while the Caribbean’s tourism conversation keeps turning toward social media reach and “official” destination rankings.