AGP Executive Report

Crime Update: Police have charged a man over the Marchand Road double homicide, naming 29-year-old Seth Shem John and linking him to the deaths of Sheston Duncan and Pearl Ramsay. Another Death Under Investigation: Police also identified 48-year-old Christopher John Edward as the man found dead at La Pansee, with gunshot wounds, as the homicide probe continues. Justice System Upgrade: Saint Lucia has appointed its first Coroner, Desma Charles, and set up a dedicated Coroners Court to handle deaths that are not natural but also not criminal. Regional Sports & Community: The Republic Bank CPL ticket sales for Antigua, Jamaica, St Kitts and Saint Lucia go on sale May 22, while pageant delegates’ tree-planting initiative enters its second year. Climate Warning: A new WMO report says rising seas, stronger hurricanes, and extreme heat are ramping up pressure on Caribbean economies and public health. Business & Travel: TabTrade and BestPropFirms launched a 12-day demo trading contest, and JetBlue-United elite-style perks are now reciprocal for eligible members.

Police & Courts: A Castries raid has led to charges after officers allegedly seized a Glock backplate component, with Elijah Benjamin Khodra (“Beh Ben”) granted $15,000 bail. Police also identified 48-year-old Christopher John Edward as the man found dead at La Pansee, and charged Seth Shem John over the Marchand Road double homicide. Justice System Upgrade: Saint Lucia has appointed its first Coroner, Desma Charles, and set up a dedicated Coroners Court to handle deaths that are unnatural but not criminal. Community & Environment: Lucian Carnival pageant delegates are in year two of a tree-planting initiative aimed at shifting pageantry from “glitz” to real community impact. Travel & Business: JetBlue and United are rolling out reciprocal elite-style perks for Caribbean travellers. Regional Spotlight: Saint Lucia is set to host the 51st CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Castries from July 5–8, with PM Philip J Pierre taking chairmanship on June 1. Sports: Team Saint Lucia U23 men’s 3×3 campaign in the OECS tournament ended winless, while local football’s Under-20 Blackheart knockout tournament kicks off with future-focused hopes.

CARICOM in the spotlight: Saint Lucia is set to host the 51st Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Castries from July 5–8, with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre taking over the chairmanship from Dr Terrance Drew on June 1. Regional aviation push: Jamaica has announced it will host the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027, aiming to tackle the region’s biggest tourism bottleneck—getting more seats and better routes. Sport and youth development: Republic Bank launched the fourth edition of its ‘Five for Fun’ Cricket programme in St Kitts and Nevis, with seven grassroots players later selected for the Leeward Islands Under-15 team. Finance sector spotlight: BVI professionals featured at the STEP Caribbean Conference on wealth planning, trusts, and cross-border regulation, including sessions on beneficial ownership and digital assets. Public health upgrade: Saint Lucia has completed installation of a rapid PCR testing system, designed to deliver results in under two hours. Crime and safety: Police are investigating the discovery of a male body in La Pansee, Castries, with details still emerging.

Sports & Local Pride: The Virgin Islands are through to the semi-finals of the 3X3 ANOECS U23 Basketball Tournament after beating St Lucia 21-14, with Grenada and St Kitts & Nevis set for the other semi-final and Dominica vs St Lucia for 5th place. Regional Shocks: A powerful 6.0 earthquake rattled Antigua and Barbuda and was felt across much of the Eastern Caribbean, including St Lucia, with no immediate reports of major damage. Human Rights Push: In St Vincent and the Grenadines, ERAO SVG has launched a national call for reparations for LGBT Vincentians on IDAHOBIT, pointing to ongoing criminalisation and lack of anti-discrimination protections. Politics & Governance: St Kitts and Nevis PM Terrance Drew is set to address the SKNLP 94th Annual Conference, with a public session later today. St Lucia Spotlight: Police are investigating the discovery of a male body in La Pansee, Castries, with details still emerging.

Sports Semifinals Set: The Virgin Islands (VI) are through to the semis of the 3X3 ANOECS U23 Basketball Tournament after bouncing back from an opening loss to Grenada, beating St Lucia 21-14 and now facing St Kitts and Nevis in the semis later today. Regional Shocks: A powerful 6.0 earthquake rattled Antigua and Barbuda, with strong shaking reported across several islands including St Lucia, though no major damage was reported. Air Connectivity Push: Jamaica has announced it will host the second CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027, aiming to strengthen intra-Caribbean airlift. CPL Draft Fallout: The Republic Bank CPL draft has already reshaped squads for 2026, with big moves including Gudakesh Motie to Barbados Tridents and Johnson Charles drafted by St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. Health & Community: Saint Lucia says a new rapid PCR testing system is now operational, while Sagicor’s “Mom Masterclass” brought Caribbean mothers together online for parenting and financial wellness.

Earthquake Alert: A powerful 6.0 quake struck northeast of Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday morning, with strong shaking reported across the Eastern Caribbean including St. Lucia; the Seismic Research Centre says it was at a depth of 31 kilometres and there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. CPL Draft Buzz: The Republic Bank CPL draft is already reshaping the 2026 season, with Barbados Tridents landing Gudakesh Motie and reuniting with Sherfane Rutherford, while Trinbago Knight Riders kept their championship core through right-to-match moves. Local Sports Spotlight: St. Lucia’s Blackheart U20 knockout tournament is set to kick off as the country’s next football stars get their own stage. Health & Safety: Saint Lucia has completed a rapid PCR testing system meant to speed up outbreak response, and the NIC is pushing workplaces and the public to join efforts against non-communicable diseases. Tourism Talk: Saint Lucia showcased its destination strength at the 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua.

Sports Tourism Boost: The OECS’s first-ever 3X3 ANOECS Basketball Tournament is underway in the Virgin Islands, with teams from across the region (including St Lucia) set to play May 16–17 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. CPL Draft Fallout: The 2026 CPL draft has already reshaped squads, with Gudakesh Motie moving from Guyana to the Barbados Tridents and Trinbago Knight Riders keeping their championship core (Pollard, Pooran, Narine, Hosein and more) as the season runs Aug 7–Sept 20. Health Tech Upgrade: Saint Lucia has completed installation of a rapid PCR testing system, now able to detect multiple infectious diseases in under two hours, strengthening outbreak response. Crime Pressure: Local law enforcement is “scrambling” as St Lucia’s homicide toll climbs, with reports of escalating violence and renewed concern over respect for police. Tourism Push: Saint Lucia is challenging arrival-only thinking on tourism impact, while also showcasing destination strength at the Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua. Community & Culture: Babonneau celebrates a new tourism milestone at Fond Latisab Creole Park, and mothers across the Caribbean joined Sagicor’s Mom Masterclass webinar.

CPL Draft Shockwaves: The Republic Bank CPL draft is set for Aug 7–Sep 20, and Saint Lucia’s rivals are already reshaping the league—Trinbago Knight Riders kept their West Indies core with right-to-match picks, while Barbados Tridents snapped up Gudakesh Motie and re-drafted Sherfane Rutherford, and Saint Lucia Kings lost Johnson Charles to the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. Tourism Metrics Debate: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire is pushing back on arrival-only reporting, arguing visitor numbers don’t show the industry’s full impact. Public Health Upgrade: Saint Lucia has installed a rapid PCR testing system capable of detecting multiple infectious diseases in under two hours, boosting outbreak response. Local Economy Boost: Babonneau celebrates a new tourism milestone at Fond Latisab Creole Park, backed by a Saint Lucia–Taiwan partnership. Climate Finance Push: Caribbean countries are preparing for a US$250M loss-and-damage grant deadline after a CDB/FRLD workshop in Barbados. Sports & Community: U16 basketball continues with SMC and Soufriere both going clear, while Miss District High heads to Gros Islet on June 27.

CPL Draft Shock: The 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League roster picture changed fast after the annual draft, with star spinner Gudakesh Motie leaving his home franchise for the Barbados Tridents, while Sunil Narine and the rest of the Trinbago Knight Riders’ core stayed put and overseas signings are expected soon. CARICOM Politics: A trade researcher says regional integration must come first, arguing leaders who can’t push the agenda should be replaced amid the ongoing dispute over CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett’s re-appointment. Local Spotlight: Miss District High returns on June 27 at the Gros Islet Human Resource Centre with eight contestants and a new district-wear segment. Health Alert: The CDC issued a Level 2 travel warning for Mauritius over life-threatening chikungunya, noting vaccine-preventable risk and urging enhanced precautions. Climate Funding Push: Caribbean countries moved closer to accessing a US$250M loss-and-damage grant after a Barbados workshop helped governments prepare “bankable” proposals ahead of a June 15 deadline.

OnlyFans Boom in the Region: Jamaica is being flagged as one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing markets for OnlyFans spending, with per-capita spend rising to about US$10,249 in 2025 (up 18.4% from 2024) and an estimated US$2.87 million in total spend for the year. Election Watch: CARICOM observers say The Bahamas’ 2026 polls were peaceful and orderly, covering voting across New Providence and Grand Bahama. Climate Finance Push: Caribbean countries are strengthening access to loss-and-damage climate grants after a workshop in Bridgetown ahead of a US$250M grant application deadline on June 15. Carnival Countdown: Organisers are gearing up for a busy Lucian Carnival season, with Junior Carnival set to kick off via the annual school tour on May 15 and fresh sponsorship support already confirmed. Education Update: Saint Lucia students have started trying a new flexible CXC C-Tech exam system, letting learners complete subjects in stages.

Regional Ports & Customs: OECS, the World Bank and the EU gathered in Saint Lucia to push port reform, maritime digitalisation and tighter customs cooperation—aimed at cutting high freight costs and improving how small islands move goods. Tourism Pressure Points: Caribbean tourism ministers are alarmed by “leakage,” saying up to 80% of visitor spending can leave the region, mostly because imports dominate what tourists consume. Short-Term Rentals Shift: The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association released a new short-term rental framework, treating Airbnb/Vrbo as a core part of tourism—now governments are urged to regulate and integrate them instead of fighting them. Local Business Uncertainty: Castries vendors at the Vendors Arcade are bracing for demolition and scrambling for relocation answers. Culture & Community: Waitukubuli Dance Theatre marks 55 years with “Rhythms of Our Roots,” while Heineken support is boosting junior carnival bands. Finance & Health: STEP’s Caribbean conference is underway in Saint Lucia, and LAMAT 2026 trained hospital teams on emergency response coordination.

STEP Conference Spotlight: Saint Lucia’s STEP branch is hosting 150+ delegates at STEP CC2026 at Sandals Grande St Lucia, with talks on “Legacy in Transition: Governance, Technology and the Next Generation of World Wealth,” drawing planners and private-client experts from across the Caribbean, the US, Canada, the UK and beyond. Caribbean Travel Watch: American Airlines says this summer will be its biggest ever—75 million travellers across 750,000 flights—while stressing reliability, a big deal for Caribbean routes. Wealth & Policy Push: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley used the same conference to argue for resilient wealth structures, pointing to Nevis’s financial legacy. Cannabis Politics: Nubian Greaux is calling out the current administration over how the cannabis industry is being handled, saying progress isn’t enough. Tourism Signals: New reports highlight Curaçao’s strong year-round performance and its pull with Millennials and Gen X, while Aruba is being branded the safest Caribbean destination for 2026. Local Governance Debate: A fresh call is again made for Saint Lucia to restore elected local government. Fuel Update: Gas prices for May 11–May 31 show LPG cylinder changes, including a jump for the 100 lb cylinder.

Tourism Momentum: Antigua’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace kept rolling on day two, with strong demand and fresh infrastructure investment driving optimism across the region, while Saint Lucia Spotlight: its representatives pushed events and sports tourism as a key growth lever. Curaçao Travel Shift: new Amadeus/CHTA research says Millennials and Gen X are boosting Curaçao’s arrivals, and the island is being praised as a “model for stable seasonality,” helped by diversified markets and steady air links. ECCB Finance Reset: the ECCB has suspended DCash 2.0 development, signaling a pivot away from “retail” currency experiments toward more practical payment-market improvements. Regional Sport: SVG’s U23 3x3 basketball team is set for ANOCES in Tortola, with Saint Lucia also among the confirmed competitors. Tech + Security: LIAT Air is exploring ferry partnerships to stitch together multi-island travel, and Aruba was named the safest Caribbean destination for 2026. Local Crime: Saint Lucia’s homicide count rose to 32 after a shooting near Black Mallet Gap, following a deadly double homicide in Marchand.

Caribbean Events Boom: St. Kitts and Nevis-based event strategist Staschio Williams and his Open Interactive team are riding back-to-back wins, shifting from staging CIS26 in Saint Lucia to gearing up for the CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua, with major behind-the-scenes work underway at the American University of Antigua. Tourism Policy: CHTA also released a comprehensive short-term rental framework aimed at capturing surging demand while pushing fair competition, visitor safety, and community protection. Health & Training: Saint Lucian medical teams boosted emergency response capability through LAMAT 2026, building a hospital-wide code response system using a train-the-trainer approach. Regional Politics: CARICOM election observers held stakeholder talks ahead of The Bahamas’ general election, while CARICOM leaders continue to wrestle with the Secretary General impasse. Public Safety: Saint Lucia’s homicide toll rose to 32 after a fatal shooting near Black Mallet Gap, following a double homicide in Marchand.

Caribbean Tourism & Regulation: The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has released a Comprehensive Short-Term Rental (STR) Framework, saying STRs are “here to stay” and pushing destinations to capture the boom while tightening oversight, visitor safety, and community protection. Emergency Preparedness: Saint Lucian and U.S. medical teams trained together under LAMAT 2026 to build a hospital-wide emergency “code response” system, using a train-the-trainer approach and real-time simulations. Regional Travel Safety: Aruba was named the safest Caribbean destination for 2026, as tourism hits record highs and “peace of mind” becomes a bigger booking driver. Local Health & Community: In Soufrière, a pop-up health fair brought mental health conversations to the market, pairing screenings with stress-awareness support. Security & Crime (Saint Lucia): Police reported a new fatal shooting near Black Mallet Gap, pushing the 2026 homicide toll to 32, following a deadly double homicide in Marchand. Blue Economy Funding: OECS is preparing a second call for Blue Economy value-chain grants, with funding aimed at fisheries, marine tourism, and waste management across the sub-region.

CARICOM Deadlock: Caricom leaders held a five-hour caucus over Trinidad and Tobago’s concerns about reappointing Carla Barnett as Secretary-General, but they refused to redo the February process and no vote was taken—T&T was represented only by a ministry team while leaders were in Parliament and hosting a visiting Indian minister. EU Food Security Push: In St Vincent and the Grenadines, an EU-funded “Cultivating Futures” project has started across four Eastern Caribbean states, backing ecological school gardens and school feeding for about 1,600 students over 18 months. Health & Climate Adaptation: A new regional focus argues care services must be built into National Adaptation Plans and NDCs, warning that climate shocks hit children and vulnerable groups hardest. Saint Lucia Crime: A shooting near Black Mallet Gap killed a young man “Brother Bear,” bringing the 2026 homicide toll to 32. Regional Transport Idea: LIAT’s CEO says the airline is exploring partnerships with ferry operators to link islands more smoothly.