AGP Executive Report

Caribbean Connectivity Push: EllaLink has moved its “Caribbean Gateway” into the development phase, proposing an open-access, carrier-neutral submarine fibre link from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western segment to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, aiming for service by end-2029 after converting letters of intent into binding landing-partner deals and closing financing. Housing & EU Politics: Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo urged EU support for housing rules—arguing major measures need broad political agreement—and called for “ring-fencing” RUP resources in the next European financing framework. Guadeloupe Culture & Identity: Artist Eddy Firmin’s work spotlights Guadeloupe’s colonial and slavery history, using art to interrogate how identity and knowledge are passed down, including Afro-Caribbean traditions like Gwoka. Sports & Regional Ties: Football results across the Caribbean Nations League saw Guadeloupe-linked outcomes referenced in standings, while French-Caribbean judoka Teddy Riner’s case over racist online abuse after speaking on the far right drew fresh attention to Guadeloupe-born athletes in France.

Transport & Connectivity: EllaLink has officially launched its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment for a fibre-optic submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire—targeted for service by end-2029. Local Governance & Mobility: A new government proposal for an ABC Islands ferry is framed as badly needed capacity, echoing wider regional pressure on transport links and services. Culture & Identity: Guadeloupe-based artist Eddy Firmin is spotlighted for work interrogating colonization, slavery’s legacy and Afro-Caribbean traditions like Gwoka. Public Debate & Security: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and cyberharassment targeting Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he said he was “freaked out” by the far-right’s rise. International Politics: Macron and Canada’s PM Mark Carney visited Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to push back after Trump shared an AI map claiming the islands as U.S. territory. Sports: Bermuda’s Nations League campaign took a hit with a heavy loss to St Lucia, leaving them bottom of their group.

Caribbean Connectivity Push: EllaLink officially launched its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new fibre-optic submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire), moving from development to committed investment with service targeted by end-2029. Housing as a Slow-Burn Deal: Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo said housing reform won’t be solved “in 48 hours,” urging broad political agreements and backing ideas like clearer rules by property size and “positive silence” when town halls stall. French Politics & Identity Clash: Macron hit back at Donald Trump after an AI map claimed Saint-Pierre and Miquelon as U.S. territory, calling the islands’ French status “obvious” during a visit that also included talks with Canada’s PM Mark Carney. Guadeloupe Sports & Society: Teddy Riner, born in Guadeloupe, is at the center of a Paris prosecutor investigation after racist online abuse following his comments about the far right. Local Culture & Memory: A feature on Carnival morning in Basse-Terre highlights Mas a Kongo as both celebration and resistance, tied to histories of slavery and ongoing identity debates. Route du Rhum Countdown: The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe heads into its home stretch, with the Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre start set for Nov. 1.

Telecom Infrastructure: EllaLink officially launches the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new fibre-optic submarine cable running from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire), moving from design to committed investment with a target service date by end-2029. Regional Policy & Housing: Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo tells Ireland’s EU leadership that housing rules need “broad agreements” and backs limits on non-resident purchases plus “ring-fenced” RUP funding, arguing administrative “silence” should be positive after delays. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight: A Guadeloupe-linked cultural piece spotlights Basse-Terre’s Carnival morning tradition, framing it as both celebration and resistance tied to slavery’s legacy. Sports & Identity: French prosecutors open an investigation into racist abuse and cyber harassment of Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he said he was “freaked out” by the far right’s rise. Local Event Watch: The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe heads into its home stretch, with 118 skippers set for the Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre start on Nov. 1.

Regional Football & Nations League: St Lucia crushed Bermuda 5-2, leaving Bermuda bottom of League B Group 2 after two straight losses in four days, with Guadeloupe already in the mix. Regional Standings Watch: In Paramaribo, Suriname started with three points and a strong goal balance while Martinique still sits on a one-for-three record, keeping the Group B race wide open. Guadeloupe Sports Spotlight: Teddy Riner—born in Guadeloupe—became the focus of a French legal probe after racist online abuse followed his comments about the far right. French Politics & Territory: Macron hit back at Trump’s AI map claiming Saint-Pierre and Miquelon as U.S. territory, underscoring a fresh diplomatic spat involving French and North Atlantic islands. Culture & Community: Tributes poured in after calypso legend “The Mighty Sparrow” died, with Caribbean cultural figures remembering “Birdie” and his influence. Language & Inclusion: European Day of Languages events included activities in Guadeloupe, pushing “Languages unite!” through schools and cultural groups. Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe: The solo race toward Pointe-à-Pitre is in the home stretch, with 118 skippers and intense competition across six classes.

Macron–Trump Island Row: French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at Donald Trump after an AI map claimed Saint-Pierre and Miquelon as U.S. territory, calling the islands’ French status “obvious” during a high-profile visit that also included talks with Canadian PM Mark Carney. Sport & Politics: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and cyberharassment targeting Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he warned about the far-right’s rise ahead of next spring’s presidential election. Route du Rhum–Guadeloupe: Organizers say the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe is in the “home stretch,” with 118 skippers set for the Nov. 1 start from Saint-Malo toward Pointe-à-Pitre. Local Culture: Tributes poured in after the death of calypso icon “The Mighty Sparrow” (“Birdie”), with Caribbean cultural figures recalling his influence on the fraternity. Energy & Governance: Economist Marla Dukharan urged Caribbean leaders to push harder for energy sovereignty as oil-market shocks and Strait of Hormuz risks keep volatility high.

Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe: The 118 skippers are in the “home stretch” toward the Nov. 1 solo start from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, with competition described as fiercer than ever across six classes. European Day of Languages: Schools and cultural institutions across Europe, including events in Guadeloupe, mark “Languages Unite!” with activities aimed at learning, inclusion, and participation. Teddy Riner Probe: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist insults and cyber harassment after Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner said he was “freaked out” by the far-right’s rise. Macron vs Trump: Macron pushed back on Trump’s AI map claiming French islands as U.S. territory, calling Saint-Pierre and Miquelon’s French status “obvious.” Energy Sovereignty: A Caribbean economist warns the region remains vulnerable to oil-market shocks and urges governments, utilities, and regulators to align on energy independence. Local Sports: Saint Lucia relieved interim head coach Francis “Baba” Lastic ahead of Nations League action.

Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe: The race is in its home stretch: 118 skippers will depart Saint-Malo on Nov. 1 for the solo sprint to Pointe-à-Pitre, with intense competition across Ultim, Ocean Fifty, IMOCA, Class40 and more. Local Culture & Identity: A travel feature returns to Basse-Terre on Carnival morning, spotlighting Mas a Kongo as both celebration and resistance, in a Guadeloupe still negotiating its identity as French and EU soil. Sports & Society: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and cyber harassment targeting Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he said he was “freaked out” by the far-right’s rise. France-Canada Ties: Macron and Canada’s PM Mark Carney announced deeper cooperation from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, including defense, energy and business, while underscoring sovereignty amid tensions with the US. Caribbean Energy Debate: An economist urges the region to push harder toward energy sovereignty as oil-market volatility and “petropolitical shocks” keep prices high.

European Day of Languages: Schools and cultural institutions across Europe marked the 26th European Day of Languages with events on learning, inclusion and participation, including activities in Guadeloupe—reinforcing the “Languages Unite!” push for regional, minority and migrant languages. Guadeloupe Identity & Culture: A feature reflects on Carnival morning in Basse-Terre, where Mas a Kongo traditions link celebration to slavery-era memory and ongoing debates about identity in a French overseas department. Macron vs. Trump on sovereignty: At the UN General Assembly, Macron faced backlash over remarks tied to the Hamas situation, while separate coverage highlights his pushback against Trump’s AI map claiming French islands and other territories as U.S. territory. Racist abuse probe in France: French prosecutors opened an investigation after Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner received racist insults online following comments about the far right. Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe: Organizers say the “home stretch” is on for the Nov. 1 solo race from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, with 118 skippers and intense competition across six classes.

Guadeloupe in the spotlight: A European Day of Languages event week included activities in Guadeloupe, with schools and cultural institutions backing “Languages unite!” and pushing learning, inclusion, and participation. Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe: The race’s “home stretch” is underway as 118 skippers prepare for the Nov. 1 start from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, with the event officially presented in Paris and competition described as fiercer than ever across six classes. Macron, Trump and sovereignty row: Emmanuel Macron used the UN General Assembly fallout to hit back at U.S. claims and broader “law of the jungle” rhetoric, while separate reporting highlights his push for European sovereignty amid tensions with Washington. Caribbean energy pressure: An economist warns the region still lacks energy sovereignty, arguing volatility and high oil prices keep “petropolitical shocks” front and center. Sports and local ties: Teddy Riner—born in Guadeloupe—faces a French probe after racist online abuse following his comments on the far right, underscoring how local identities can collide with national politics.

Macron at the UN: Emmanuel Macron’s UN General Assembly remarks sparked backlash after a reported “Hamas not active in the West Bank” claim was publicly corrected by U.S. officials, feeding criticism that France’s top line is out of touch with the facts. Far-right backlash in France: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist online abuse targeting Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he said he was “freaked out” by the rise of the far right ahead of next spring’s presidential election. Transatlantic politics: Macron and Canada’s PM Mark Carney announced closer cooperation from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, stressing sovereignty and discussing defense, energy, fishing and AI—against a backdrop of renewed U.S. tensions and Trump-linked territorial claims that included Caribbean territories. Caribbean energy pressure: An economist warns the region still lacks energy sovereignty, arguing volatility and high oil prices tied to Middle East risks will keep hitting Caribbean budgets unless governments, regulators and utilities align on long-term solutions. Guadeloupe-linked sport spotlight: Riner’s case keeps Guadeloupe’s presence in French public life in the headlines, as legal action moves from social media outrage to formal investigation.

Racist Abuse Probe in France: Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into racist insults and cyber harassment targeting Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he said he was “freaked out” by the rise of the far right, with the case led by the hate-crimes unit. Macron-Carney Diplomacy: French President Emmanuel Macron and Canada’s PM Mark Carney announced closer cooperation on defense, fishing, energy and AI during talks in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, stressing sovereignty amid tensions with the United States. Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe: The race’s “home stretch” is underway as 118 skippers prepare for the Nov. 1 start from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, with competition described as fiercer than ever across six classes. Energy Security Watch: Economist Marla Dukharan urges Caribbean governments and regulators to push harder for energy sovereignty, warning that oil-market shocks and volatility—especially above $100 a barrel—keep the region exposed.

Guadeloupe in the spotlight via Route du Rhum: The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe heads into its “home stretch” as 118 skippers gather for the official presentation in Paris ahead of the Nov. 1 start from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, with competition described as fiercer than ever across six classes. Caribbean tourism capacity watch: Jamaica’s airlift is strengthening, with airlines running about 85% load factors through August and adding new routes and winter frequencies from the US, Canada, Europe and Latin America—an indicator Caribbean destinations are competing hard for seats. Energy and investment signal: Ormat has been selected for up to about $35m in US Department of Energy funding to advance enhanced geothermal and hydrothermal projects, a reminder that renewables financing is still moving even amid global uncertainty. Local politics angle via diaspora ties: French prosecutor opens an investigation into racist abuse targeting Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the far-right’s rise, underscoring how mainland political tensions spill into public life. International diplomacy with possible spillover: Macron and Canada’s Carney announce closer ties from Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, including defense, fishing and energy cooperation, amid renewed friction with the US.

Far-Right Backlash Probe: Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into racist abuse and online harassment aimed at French judo star Teddy Riner after he warned about the rise of the far right, with the case tied to the National Rally’s strong polling ahead of next spring’s presidential election. Macron-Carney Diplomacy: French President Emmanuel Macron met Canada’s PM Mark Carney in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, stressing “obvious” French sovereignty after Trump shared an AI map depicting French islands as U.S. territory, while the two leaders pledged closer cooperation on fishing, security, energy and AI. Route du Rhum—Guadeloupe Build-Up: Organizers say the Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe is in the home stretch, with 118 skippers set to depart Saint-Malo on Nov. 1 and competition described as fiercer than ever across six classes. Energy Security Warning: A Caribbean economist urges governments and regulators to align on energy sovereignty, warning that oil-market volatility and “petropolitical shocks” are likely to keep prices high. Local Sports Shake-Up (Region): Saint Lucia’s interim men’s coach Francis “Baba” Lastic was relieved of duties ahead of Concacaf Nations League matches, with a replacement expected soon.

Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe: The race is in the home stretch as 118 skippers gear up for the Nov. 1 start from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, with competition described as fiercer than ever across six classes. Guadeloupe Spotlight via Sports: The event’s official presentation in Paris underlines how the island remains a key destination for major French overseas sporting momentum. Macron vs. Trump over territorial claims: French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at Donald Trump after an AI map depicted French islands—including Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and Caribbean territories—as U.S. territory, stressing French sovereignty while also using the moment to push transatlantic cooperation. Caribbean Energy Policy: Economist Marla Dukharan urged Caribbean governments and regulators to align on energy sovereignty to cut exposure to oil-market shocks and improve reliability. Legal/Notary Services for English wills: A French directory initiative targets English-speaking notaires experienced with wills and successions under EU rules, including guidance on how “compensatory levy” interpretations may differ for English-law estates.

Tourism & Air Access: Jamaica’s tourism officials say strong demand is boosting airlift, with average flight load factors hitting 85% from January to August 2026, even as available seats fell 22%—a reminder for Guadeloupe policymakers to keep pressure on airline capacity and market access. Route du Rhum—Guadeloupe Focus: The Route du Rhum is in its “home stretch” toward the Nov. 1 start from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, with 118 skippers and record-level competition across six classes, keeping Guadeloupe in the spotlight ahead of the race. Legal Services for English-Law Estates: A new English-speaking notaires directory highlights how French notaires handle wills and successions where English law applies, including guidance tied to EU succession rules—useful for cross-border residents and families in the French Caribbean. France–Canada Diplomatic Push: Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney announced closer France–Canada ties from Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, stressing sovereignty, security, fishing and energy, while the wider dispute with the U.S. over territorial claims adds geopolitical noise that can spill into Caribbean relations. Energy Sovereignty Watch: A Caribbean economist urges faster progress toward energy independence as oil-market volatility and “petropolitical” shocks keep threatening reliability and costs.