Caribbean Roundup: Antigua and Barbuda, Caricom, Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica

The EU proposed a 24-month transition period and called for stricter screening measures, including excluding individuals under EU sanctions and strengthening background checks by September 2026.

The EU will include Antigua and Barbuda’s response in its Visa Suspension Mechanism Report expected in December 2026.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the decision was expected, as his government had received prior notice and had already started regional consultations.

He noted that the EU’s move affects not only Antigua and Barbuda, but all OECS countries operating Citizenship by Investment programmes.

Caricom

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez thanked CARICOM countries for their humanitarian support following a June 24 double earthquake that killed thousands and displaced many people.

Guyana, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago have sent 88 containers of emergency supplies, medical personnel, and equipment, which was shipped from Guyana. Rodríguez said the aid showed the strong friendship and unity among Caribbean nations.

“I am moved because I am among CARICOM countries, countries of our Caribbean, who with great effort coordinated by Guyana have all sent aid to Venezuela. I want to thank the prime ministers, President Irfan Ali, the Prime Minister of Barbados, the President of Suriname, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, of St. Kitts and Nevis, of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Prime Minister of Belize.

“I also thank St. Lucia, Antigua and Dominica, well, for all this effort to support our people. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the Venezuelan people, I thank you for this support you are providing to our country,” she said.

She added that the humanitarian aid highlights the strong regional cooperation.

“Venezuela is in your hearts, but we know that you are also in our hearts because at all times we have maintained our close ties of friendship, cooperation and brotherhood. So on behalf of the government, thank you.

“Haiti, who also sent doctors, 35 doctors and a field hospital… We spoke about how Haiti will always be with Venezuela and Venezuela will always be with Haiti. It is marked in our history and with that commitment to where we come from and who we are when we set our course toward the future,” Rodriquez added.

The Pan American Health Organization said Venezuela’s earthquake response has entered an early recovery phase focused on restoring health services, improving medical referral systems, and preventing further health emergencies.

The organisation is supporting the Ministry of Health through technical assistance and coordinating the Health Cluster, which includes 110 organisations led jointly by PAHO and the International Rescue Committee.

The earthquakes caused approximately 4,333 deaths, injured 16,740 people, displaced 17,907 people, and damaged 38 health facilities.

Cuba

A nationwide blackout recently struck Cuba as the country’s fuel shortages and failing electricity grid worsened. Officials said the cause is under investigation, while the Ministry of Energy and Mines has activated measures to restore power.

Cuba has faced severe fuel shortages since January after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island, worsening its economic crisis.
The shortages have disrupted public transportation and forced the cancellation of thousands of surgeries.

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said small power systems were restored a few hours after the blackout and that essential services continued operating despite the ongoing energy crisis.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel claimed the United States was seeking to spark social unrest by choking off Cuba’s fuel supply.

“The actions of electrical workers in the midst of a genocidal energy blockade are heroic,” he wrote on X.

Cuba meets only 40% of the fuel required and a shipment of 730,000 barrels of oil delivered from Russia late March was depleted by the end of April.

The government has imposed long-scheduled power cuts, sometimes lasting more than 24 hours, while major blackouts in March and May caused widespread electricity outages across the island.

Haiti

United Nations humanitarian agencies are “alarmed” by escalating armed violence in Haiti’s West Department, where more than 5,000 people have been newly displaced in Ganthier and Kenscoff.

According to UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, the International Organization for Migration reported that 1,500 people were displaced in Ganthier on July 1, while about 2,000 people fled Kenscoff after clashes on the night of July 4–5.

Most displaced families are staying with host communities, increasing pressure on already vulnerable households.

“We will assess the situation on the ground and you will hear more about Haiti,” Dujarric said, promising that an update will be provided soon.

Recently, the Viv Ansanm gang attacked the village of Robin in Haiti’s Grand Fond area. Reports indicate there were several deaths, injuries, kidnappings, and homes destroyed by fire, although officials have not yet released a formal statement.

The United Kingdom has pledged £5.6 million (US$7.4 million) to support the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti, which is working to combat armed gangs in Port-au-Prince.

This follows Canada’s recent announcement of a US$35.3 million contribution to the GSF, which has a 12-month mandate to help improve security and reduce gang violence.

Jamaica

Passenger traffic at Jamaica’s two international airports fell in the first half of 2026 due to the effects of Hurricane Melissa and other tourism challenges.

Sangster International Airport, Jamaica’s busiest airport, managed 1.91 million passengers, a 26.7% decrease from the same period in 2025, mainly because of hurricane damage and reduced hotel room availability during repairs.

Norman Manley International Airport also recorded fewer passengers in the first half of 2026. It handled 850,200 passengers, a 3.6% decline from the same period the previous year, mainly due to fewer visitors from the United States.

In June alone, Sangster’s passenger traffic also fell 23.4% compared with June 2025.

Norman Manley International Airport recorded a small drop in June passenger traffic, handling 151,000 passengers compared with 152,200 a year earlier.

Although Spirit Airlines stopped operating on May 2, its impact was limited because it accounted for only a small share of passengers.

Tourism officials remain optimistic, expecting new air services to improve Jamaica’s air connectivity.

New airline routes are expected to boost Jamaica’s tourism recovery. Wingo has launched flights between Medellín, Colombia and Montego Bay, while Porter Airlines plans new non-stop flights from Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton for the 2026–27 winter season.

Tourism officials believe these new services and the reopening of repaired hotels will increase visitor arrivals and passenger traffic.