AGP Executive Report

Diaspora Push: Grenada’s two-week Diaspora Homecoming kicks off June 21, blending culture, business forums, concerts and community events across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique—starting with arrival and church services, then a minister-led welcome reception on June 23. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has shut down permanently after a court-ordered liquidation tied to a $69M debt crisis and a safety-audit license revocation—leaving the French Caribbean with fewer short-hop options. Spirits Spotlight: Rhum Clément expands in the U.S. with V.O (SRP $39.99), while also rolling out a new heritage-led bottle design across its aged range. Tourism Signals: Puerto Rico and Jamaica lead the Caribbean’s official destination social media race, with growth increasingly hinging on creators and diaspora storytelling. Energy Watch: Wavepiston says it has submitted permitting for a Gran Canaria pilot wave project and is advancing work in Martinique with a deployed data buoy.

Air Travel Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending months of uncertainty and leaving a major gap in short island-to-island links across the French Caribbean. The carrier’s collapse follows a safety audit that led regulators to revoke its license last December, then a debt spiral of over $69M and failed rescue bids. Diaspora & Business Push: Grenada is gearing up for its two-week Diaspora Homecoming (June 21–July 6), mixing cultural events, business forums, concerts and community activities across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with a welcome reception hosted by Foreign Affairs minister Joseph Andall. Spirits & Exports: Rhum Clément is expanding in the U.S. with a new V.O expression and a redesigned aged-rum bottle, while Clément’s heritage continues to be packaged for international shelves. Regional Signals: Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría airport won Skytrax’s best regional airport award in Central America and the Caribbean, underscoring how passenger experience is becoming a key battleground.

Air Travel Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending a long-running French-Caribbean link that had been grounded since a failed safety audit and left residents and tourists facing fewer flight options. Regional Cooperation: The Dominican Republic is pitching the Transcaribe Agreement to connect Caribbean overseas territories on trade, food security, technical cooperation and shared challenges like sargassum, with talks aimed at a full deal by year-end. Diaspora & Business: Grenada’s two-week Diaspora Homecoming kicks off June 21 with arrival events and church services, then moves into registration, a ministerial welcome reception, and a packed mix of culture, excursions and business forums across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Martinique Spirits Spotlight: Rhum Clément is launching V.O in the U.S. and rolling out a new aged-rum bottle design, pushing its agricole heritage further into the American market. Tourism Signals: Puerto Rico and Jamaica lead the Caribbean’s official destination social media race, underscoring that attention now follows creators as much as tourism boards.

Diaspora Push: Grenada kicks off its two-week Diaspora Homecoming on June 21, with arrival events and church services, then a business-and-culture calendar spanning Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique—welcome reception set for June 23 with Foreign Affairs minister Joseph Andall. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation following a safety-audit license revocation and a $69M debt spiral, leaving residents and tourists facing fewer short-hop options across the French Caribbean. Regional Spotlight: Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport was named best regional airport in Central America and the Caribbean by Skytrax, with Martinique listed among the top performers. Culture & Trade: Rhum Clément expands in the U.S. with V.O and a new bottle design, while Dominica’s Waitukubuli Dance Theatre marks 55 years with “Rhythms of Our Roots.”

Air Travel Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending a key turboprop link between Martinique, Guadeloupe and nearby islands—another blow for residents and visitors already facing tighter flight options. Spirits & Exports: Rhum Clément pushes further into the U.S. with a new V.O release and a redesigned heritage bottle, reinforcing Martinique’s agricole presence abroad. Regional Spotlight: Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport wins Skytrax’s “best regional airport” nod in Central America and the Caribbean, with Martinique listed among the top performers. Culture in Motion: Dominica’s Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company marks 55 years with “Rhythms of Our Roots,” while New York’s 1-54 fair keeps drawing attention for tactile, surprising contemporary African art. Business & Energy: Wavepiston advances wave power plans with permitting steps in Gran Canaria and ongoing project work in Martinique.

Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has shut down permanently after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending a French-Caribbean lifeline that had been grounded since a failed safety audit and left residents and tourists facing fewer island-to-island options. Spirits & Exports: Rhum Clément is pushing deeper into the U.S. with a new V.O release (aged in alternating ex-bourbon barrels and new American oak) and a refreshed heritage bottle design—while Clément’s U.S. push signals continued demand for Martinique agricole-style rums. Tourism Buzz: Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport was named best regional airport in Central America and the Caribbean, with Martinique listed among top performers in the same Skytrax ranking. Energy Watch: Wavepiston says it has submitted permits for a Gran Canaria pilot wave farm and is running a year-long wave data campaign in Martinique to move toward deployment. Regional Trade Talks: The Dominican Republic floated a Transcaribe framework for cooperation with Caribbean overseas territories, targeting shared development, connectivity, and issues like sargassum.

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—good news for travelers even as the region’s air links face pressure. Air Connectivity Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending more than two decades of short-hop service across the French Caribbean; the carrier had been grounded after a failed safety audit and carried over $69M in debt. Culture & Community: Dominica’s Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company marks 55 years with “Rhythms of Our Roots,” blending Creole heritage styles and live drumming. Energy Watch (Martinique): Wavepiston has started a one-year wave data campaign on Martinique’s east coast to support a future pilot wave energy project. Tourism Signals: Puerto Rico and Jamaica lead the Caribbean’s official destination social media race, but the next growth push may hinge on creators and diaspora storytelling.

Haiti Court Update: Former Delmas/Tabarre deputy Arnel Bélizaire appeared for his first formal hearing before investigating judge Benjamin Félismé, facing allegations including financing of terrorism and conspiracy against the state’s internal security. Regional Security & Border Support: UNODC handed Haiti’s Border Police (PoliIFRONT) six Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, boosting operational capacity with Haitian National Police leadership. Caribbean Travel Shock: Air Antilles has shut down permanently after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending months of uncertainty and leaving a short-haul travel gap across French Caribbean islands. Martinique Business & Energy: Rhum Clément is launching its V.O in the U.S. with a new bottle, while Wavepiston says Martinique’s wave data campaign is advancing a future wave energy pilot. Tourism & Cooperation: A Transcaribe agreement proposal was presented to Caribbean overseas territories, aiming at shared development, trade, and connectivity.

Africa Forward Backlash: At the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, France and Kenya’s leaders drew fresh fire from anti-imperialist voices, with claims that “anti-colonial” branding masks continued control and exploitation. Caribbean Air Shock: Air Antilles has shut down for good after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending months of uncertainty and leaving a key short-haul travel gap across the French islands. Rhum in the U.S.: Rhum Clément is launching V.O in America with a new bottle design, adding to its U.S. lineup of aged expressions. Tourism Marketing Race: Puerto Rico and Jamaica lead the Caribbean’s official destination social media push, while analysts point to creators and diaspora storytellers as the next growth lever. Regional Cooperation Push: The Dominican Republic’s MIREX-backed Transcaribe Agreement proposal would create a shared development and connectivity framework across Caribbean overseas territories. Energy Watch: Wavepiston says it has advanced wave-energy plans—permits filed for Gran Canaria and a wave data buoy deployed in Martinique.

Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has shut down for good after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending months of uncertainty after safety grounding and a failed restart attempt—leaving a real short-hop travel gap across Martinique, Guadeloupe and nearby islands. Regional Deal-Making: The Dominican Republic’s MIREX is pushing a Transcaribe Agreement to link Caribbean overseas territories on trade, food security, connectivity and shared fixes for issues like sargassum. Tourism Momentum: Puerto Rico and Jamaica are leading the Caribbean’s official destination social media race, while St. Kitts and Nevis is betting on “home porting” with its first cruise set for Nov 7, 2027. Martinique Business & Energy: Rhum Clément is launching a new U.S.-market V.O bottle, and a year-long wave data campaign in Martinique is paving the way for a wave energy pilot. Cuba Pressure: New U.S. sanctions are escalating pressure on Cuba, with ripple effects across healthcare and the wider Caribbean.

Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has shut down for good after a Guadeloupe court ordered liquidation, ending months of uncertainty and leaving a fresh travel gap across the French islands. Caribbean Tourism Buzz: Puerto Rico and Jamaica are leading the region’s official destination social media race, with the next growth push likely to come from creators and diaspora storytellers—not just tourism boards. Regional Cooperation Push: MIREX has floated a plan to create an alliance of Caribbean island territories, aiming at shared development, trade, food security and connectivity. Cruise Momentum: St. Kitts and Nevis confirmed its first home-porting cruise for November 2027, a model designed to boost longer stays and local spending. Martinique Energy Watch: A one-year wave data campaign is underway on Martinique’s east coast to pave the way for a pilot wave energy project. Rum & Retail Culture: Rhum Clément unveiled a new heritage-led bottle design, while UK aperitivo demand is driving fresh off-trade focus for Fratelli Branca.

Caribbean Cooperation Push: The Dominican Republic’s foreign ministry has put forward the Transcaribe Agreement, inviting Caribbean territories including Martinique to build a shared economic development zone aimed at boosting trade, food security, technical cooperation and connectivity, with a focus on shared headaches like sargassum and environmental sustainability—delegations will review a draft declaration and aim to negotiate a full regional deal by year-end. Cruise & Tourism Momentum: St. Kitts and Nevis says its first “home porting” cruise will launch from Port Zante on Nov 7, 2027, promising longer stays and more local spending. Martinique Business Spotlight: Rhum Clément unveils a new-look heritage bottle for its aged rum range, designed with UK distributor Mangrove Global. Regional Energy Watch: A one-year wave data campaign is underway in Martinique to pave the way for a pilot wave energy project. Caribbean Finance Update: Moody’s upgraded The Bahamas long-term ratings, shifting the outlook to positive.

Caribbean Finance: Moody’s upgraded The Bahamas’ long-term rating from B1 to Ba3 and flipped the outlook to positive, citing stronger fiscal performance, steadier revenue beyond tourism, and lower borrowing needs. Martinique Spirits & Trade: Rhum Clément unveiled a new proprietary heritage bottle, with UK distribution via Mangrove Global, while Mangrove’s Fratelli Branca push leans into the UK’s growing aperitivo culture—aiming to make classic bitter and vermouth serves feel easy and “when to drink” clear. Energy Watch: A one-year wave data campaign is underway on Martinique’s east coast to support a future wave energy pilot, with a €63,000 ADEME-funded buoy project. Regional Context: Cuba coverage highlights renewed US pressure, including sanctions that are squeezing the overseas Cuban doctors’ programme—an issue with ripple effects across Latin America and the Caribbean. What’s Missing Locally: No major Martinique-only policy or business breaking news in the latest batch beyond the wave-energy and spirits updates.

Aperitivo momentum hits Martinique’s shelves: Mangrove’s new UK push for Fratelli Branca is riding the rise of Negroni and “aperitivo hour,” aiming to make heritage spirits feel modern and easy to serve at home. Crisis memory, still alive: Caribbean attention is again on Mount Pelée—Saint-Pierre’s 1902 destruction is being revisited alongside warnings about what volcanic signs can mean today. Energy watch: Martinique has started a 1-year wave data campaign on the Atlantic coast to support a future wave energy pilot, backed by ADEME and local stakeholder buy-in. Regional travel friction: A court-ordered liquidation threat is hanging over Air Antilles, with travelers urged to seek refunds and rebooking. Cuba pressure continues: US sanctions are escalating, with reports that Cuban medical missions abroad are being squeezed as countries comply. Business & culture: MSC Cruises is expanding its North American route plan, while Antigua prepares for the CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace.

Over the last 12 hours, coverage for the wider Caribbean and regional business scene is light but varied. One item focuses on tourism industry coordination: Antigua and Barbuda is set to host the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace next week, with the event scheduled for May 12–15 at the American University of Antigua and framed as part of a broader spring tourism calendar (St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, Martinique Yole Festival, and other regional festivals). In a separate, non-Caribbean business release, SHINELONG (Guangzhou) announced it has delivered more than 8,000 commercial kitchen projects across 150+ countries, positioning itself as a “one-stop” supplier—more of a corporate milestone than a regional development.

In the 12–24 hour window, Grenada’s Ministry of Youth and Sports announced the inaugural National Youth Awards, with the ceremony set for June 16 at the Grenada Trade Centre and a theme centered on youth as “active agents of change.” The call for nominations has been extended to May 15, indicating an ongoing mobilization phase rather than a completed event.

A major continuity thread across the past several days is the fallout from Air Antilles’ collapse. Multiple articles describe judicial liquidation and the implications for travel: one report says a court ordered Air Antilles to liquidate because it lacked a solid financial recovery plan, after takeover offers were withdrawn or rejected; another quotes Saint Martin’s leadership stressing that the territory took over Air Antilles to preserve “territorial continuity and connectivity,” while also noting efforts to secure support from French and regional authorities did not succeed. Together, these pieces suggest the liquidation is now the settled outcome, with attention shifting from rescue attempts to consequences and regional connectivity planning.

Finally, several stories provide background on broader regional concerns and public-interest topics. US pressure on Cuba is discussed in terms of sanctions escalating and affecting Latin America and the Caribbean, including claims that Cuban medical deployments are being cancelled under US pressure. Separately, public health coverage notes the spread of tiger mosquitoes in France (described as “installed” in 81 of 96 departments as of Jan. 1, 2025), and cultural coverage includes a Martinique-linked sports highlight (Liam Carrington named Express Star of the Month for April after a medal-rich Carifta Aquatics Championships in Martinique).

Over the last 12 hours, the most prominent thread in the coverage is the impact of U.S. pressure on Cuba—particularly the reported squeeze on Cuban medical personnel. One article says the Trump administration is “blocking the employment of Cuban doctors,” describing how Cuba’s overseas medical programs have long supported healthcare across Latin America and the Caribbean, but that “these decades-long programmes are now being cancelled” as countries comply with U.S. sanctions. The same coverage frames this as part of a broader escalation of U.S. policy toward Cuba, including executive orders that threaten additional economic pressure tied to oil supplies.

Also in the most recent window, travel and regional connectivity news centers on Air Antilles. Multiple pieces report that the airline has been ordered to liquidate after takeover offers were rejected by a court, with the liquidation linked to the company’s inability to present a solid financial recovery plan. The reporting also includes a statement from Saint Martin’s leadership describing efforts to preserve Air Antilles and maintain “territorial continuity and connectivity,” while noting that support from regional and French authorities was not forthcoming and that a last-minute investor bid failed to convince the court.

Beyond those two major themes, the last 12 hours include lighter, community and culture items: a Heroes’ Day Chess tournament recap (with 54 new champions across three divisions) and a Martinique-linked sports highlight naming swimmer Liam Carrington “Express Star of the Month” for April after a medal-heavy performance at the Carifta Aquatics Championships hosted in Martinique. There is also a cruise-industry update on MSC Cruises’ North American itinerary, including the transformed MSC Poesia and its planned push toward Alaska.

Looking slightly further back (12 to 72 hours), the coverage broadens into policy, environment, and public-interest explainers that provide context for regional concerns. For example, an article on ExxonMobil’s oil-spill impact study in Guyana reports that the EPA “did not greenlight” a financial study, according to an Exxon consultant—an issue that echoes the broader theme of how authorities and companies handle risk and consequences. Another piece discusses the spread of tiger mosquitoes in France, noting they are “installed” in 81 of 96 departments as of January 1, 2025, and emphasizing public health guidance due to diseases such as dengue.

Finally, the 3 to 7 day range adds continuity on themes of regional identity and governance, though with less direct Martinique-specific linkage in the provided excerpts. Coverage includes a Martinique-related reparatory justice marker in France (a “Mast of Fraternity and Memory” created by a descendant of enslaved Africans from Martinique) and broader international cultural and geopolitical reporting (e.g., International Jazz Day coverage and a profile of Russia’s presence in the Arctic). However, because the most recent evidence is dominated by Cuba sanctions and Air Antilles liquidation, the overall news picture in this rolling week is less about new Martinique developments and more about external pressures affecting Caribbean connectivity and livelihoods.