AGP Executive Report

Language Tensions in Guadeloupe: A video of the island’s prefect, Thierry Devimeux, accusing a Black fisherman of disrespect after speaking Creole has sparked outrage over colonialism, racism, and classism—while French remains official and Creole is widely spoken by most residents. Regional Connectivity Push: EllaLink has formally launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, planning a new submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Overseas Economy Funding: France’s Overseas Territories Minister Naïma Moutchou unveiled the “Outre-mer One” €35m fund in Paris to back commercially viable projects in overseas territories, shifting from subsidies toward investment. Sport (Guadeloupe in the mix): Saint Lucia beat Guadeloupe 3-0 in the Concacaf Nations League, while Guadeloupe also appears in the wider Group D results roundup. Culture & Heritage: Commentary and coverage continue around Creole-French divides and the World Creole Music Festival’s role in tourism and cultural life.

Language & Identity in Guadeloupe: A video sparked outrage after Guadeloupe’s prefect Thierry Devimeux, a white official, accused a Black fisherman of being disrespectful for speaking Creole—renewing anger over colonialism, racism and classism on the island where Creole is widely spoken alongside French. Culture & Debate: Commentary around the World Creole Music Festival continues, with writers arguing about how decisions and funding for the event have been handled over the years. Connectivity for the region: EllaLink has formally launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving into the development stage for a new submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, aiming for service by end-2029. Sports (regional): Saint Lucia’s “Piton Boyz” beat Guadeloupe 3-0 in Barbados in the Concacaf Nations League, while other Group D action saw Vincent and the Grenadines win 1-0 over Belize. Business & investment (France/overseas): France’s Overseas Territories Minister Naïma Moutchou unveiled the “Outre-mer One” €35m fund in Paris to attract private investment to overseas territories.

Language & Identity: A language feud has erupted in Guadeloupe after the island’s prefect, Thierry Devimeux, accused a Black fisherman of being disrespectful for speaking Creole, sparking outrage over colonialism, racism and classism; French remains the official language, but Creole is widely spoken by most of the island’s population. Outre-mer Investment: France’s Overseas Territories Minister Naïma Moutchou unveiled the “Outre-mer One” fund in Paris, a €35m push to back commercially viable projects in French overseas territories, shifting from subsidies to investment. Connectivity for the Islands: EllaLink formally launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving into the development phase for a submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western segment serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Sports (Regional): Saint Lucia beat Guadeloupe 3-0 in the Concacaf Nations League, while Guadeloupe’s “Gwada Boyz” were also in the wider Nations League mix across the region. Culture & Community: The World Creole Music Festival and other Caribbean cultural programming continue to draw attention, as debates over heritage and representation stay front and center.

Outre-mer Investment Push: France’s Overseas Territories Minister Naïma Moutchou unveiled the “Outre-mer One” fund in Paris, a €35m push meant to shift from subsidies to investment for businesses across French overseas territories, with INCO Ventures managing the scheme alongside state partners and private backers. Creole-French Tensions in Guadeloupe: A language feud has erupted after Guadeloupe’s prefect Thierry Devimeux accused a Black fisherman of disrespect for speaking Creole, sparking outrage over colonialism, racism and classism; French is official, but Creole is widely spoken by most of the island’s population. Connectivity for the Eastern Caribbean: EllaLink formally launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving from design to committed investment for a submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Sports—Guadeloupe in the spotlight: Saint Lucia’s “Piton Boyz” set up a weekend clash with Guadeloupe after a big Nations League win over Bermuda, while Guadeloupe’s own results continue to shape the group race. Culture & Heritage: A commentary on the World Creole Music Festival highlights how institutional decisions and tourism goals have shaped the event since its 1996 start.

Overseas Investment Push: France’s Overseas Territories Minister Naïma Moutchou unveiled the “Outre-mer One” fund at the Banque de France, already topping its €30m target and now positioned to reach about €35m, with INCO Ventures managing financing alongside AFD and Banque des Territoires plus private backers like BRED, EDF and the Bernard Hayot Group. Local Economy Focus: The plan shifts from covering remoteness costs to backing commercially viable projects tied to local strengths—tropical biodiversity, marine resources and the “blue economy”—with an emphasis on “investment, not subsidy.” Connectivity for the Region: EllaLink officially launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative at CTU ICT Week 2026 in Cayenne, moving from design to committed development for a submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, aiming for service by end-2029. Language Tensions in Guadeloupe: A video sparked outrage after Guadeloupe’s prefect Thierry Devimeux accused a Black fisherman of disrespect for speaking Creole, reigniting debate over Creole vs French and colonial-era class and racism claims. Sport Spotlight: In CONCACAF Nations League action, Guadeloupe beat Bermuda 2-1 in their opener, while Saint Lucia’s “Piton Boyz” surged to a 5-2 win over Bermuda—setting up a weekend clash involving Guadeloupe.

Language Clash in Guadeloupe: A video of Guadeloupe’s prefect Thierry Devimeux telling a Black fisherman not to speak Creole has sparked outrage and reignited debate over colonialism, racism, and class on the French Caribbean island. Culture & Identity: Artist Eddy Firmin’s provocative sculptures and work draw on Guadeloupe’s slavery-era history and Afro-Caribbean traditions like Gwoka, using art to question how knowledge is passed down. Connectivity Boost: EllaLink has officially launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving the Cayenne–Martinique–Guadeloupe submarine cable into the development phase, with a target service date by end-2029 and plans for a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Sports Spotlight: Guadeloupe’s Nations League run continues to ripple across the region after a late win over Bermuda, while Saint Lucia and other Caribbean teams post results in the same competition. Water & Travel Context: Separate reporting highlights drought restrictions in France’s Saint-Malo area and ongoing Caribbean travel planning, including new cruise programs that feature Guadeloupe. Sports & Society: French judoka Teddy Riner—born in Guadeloupe—faces a police probe after racist online abuse following comments about extremism.

Telecom Infrastructure: EllaLink has officially launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, moving the project into the development stage after an announcement at CTU ICT Week 2026 in Cayenne. The planned open-access submarine cable would link Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, aiming for service by end-2029. Language & Identity: A language feud in Guadeloupe has erupted after the island’s prefect, Thierry Devimeux, accused a Black fisherman of being disrespectful for speaking Creole, reigniting debate over colonialism, racism and class. Culture & Art: Artist Eddy Firmin is spotlighted for work probing colonization, slavery’s legacy and Afro-Caribbean traditions like Gwoka. Sports (Regional): Guadeloupe’s Concacaf Nations League campaign continues to ripple across the region, with Bermuda and Saint Lucia matches drawing attention as teams chase Gold Cup qualification. Travel & Tourism: New travel data highlights how group type shapes Caribbean demand, with couples leading arrivals and smaller islands seeing the biggest visitor gains.

EU Schengen Pressure on CIPs: Saint Lucia’s PM says the EU is demanding OECS “Citizenship By Investment” programmes end by June 2027 or risk losing visa-free Schengen access. Language & Identity Tensions in Guadeloupe: A prefect’s Creole-versus-French clash with a Black fisherman has sparked outrage and renewed debate over colonial-era class and racism. Culture Through the Lens of Slavery: Guadeloupe-born artist Eddy Firmin explores colonization and resistance, linking Caribbean traditions like Gwoka to the legacy of slavery. Connectivity Boost for Guadeloupe: EllaLink’s “Caribbean Gateway” fibre cable is moving into committed investment, aiming for service by end-2029 with a route from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe. Sports—Nations League Fallout: Guadeloupe beat Bermuda 2-1 in a tense opener, while Saint Lucia’s 5-2 win over Bermuda keeps the group race lively. Health & Food Buzz: A new report revisits soursop’s claimed benefits, noting many remain based on limited human research. Travel Demand by Group Type: New data shows couples dominate Caribbean arrivals, with smaller islands like Dominica gaining fastest.

Telecom Boost for Guadeloupe: EllaLink has officially launched the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, a new fibre-optic submarine cable from Cayenne (French Guiana) to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire—aiming for service by end-2029 after moving from design to committed investment. Football Focus: Bermuda’s Nations League hopes took a hit after a 5-2 loss to St Lucia, with Nahki Wells named captain; earlier, Guadeloupe beat Bermuda 2-1 in the group opener, and the wider Caribbean Nations League continues to shape Gold Cup qualification races. Sport & Society: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and cyber harassment targeting Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the rise of the far right. Culture & Identity: A feature reflects on Guadeloupe’s Carnival traditions and the island’s ongoing reckoning with history, set against its French ties and Caribbean reality. Travel & Cruises: Ambassador Cruise Line announced more winter 2027-28 and 2028-29 “fly-cruise” sailings aboard the Renaissance, calling at Martinique and Guadeloupe among other islands.

Caribbean Connectivity: EllaLink officially launches the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire), moving from design to committed investment with service targeted by end-2029. Football (Guadeloupe in focus): In the Concacaf Nations League, Guadeloupe edged Bermuda 2-1 after a late surge, with Bermuda’s early lead overturned by two late goals following red cards. Football (regional ripple): Saint Lucia opened with a 2-0 loss to Barbados, while Saint Lucia later beat Bermuda 5-2 as Kegan Caull hit a first-half hat-trick. Culture & identity: A feature on Guadeloupe’s Carnival morning in Basse-Terre highlights Mas a Kongo as both celebration and resistance, set against the island’s ongoing reckoning with its past. Health (overseas context): A report notes abortion rates continue to fall in Mayotte, while Guadeloupe is cited as having a much higher rate than mainland France. Sports & society: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and online harassment of Guadeloupe-born judoka Teddy Riner after he spoke about the rise of the far right. Travel & leisure: Corendon announced a one-off 14-day cruise from Bonaire on Dec. 26 that includes stops such as Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Guadeloupe Football: Bermuda’s Nations League hopes took a hit as Guadeloupe beat them 2-1 in their opener, with Bermuda later suffering a heavy 5-2 loss to St Lucia—leaving them bottom of the group and without a point. Regional Nations League Focus: Suriname and Martinique clash in Paramaribo with Suriname aiming to stay perfect after a strong start, while Martinique look to bounce back after an opening defeat. Local Sports Spotlight: Saint Lucia’s new head coach Rajesh Latchoo began with a 2-0 loss to Barbados, as the Piton Boyz slipped to the bottom of Group B. Culture & Identity: A Guadeloupe language-learning event is part of Europe’s “Languages Unite!” push, with schools and cultural groups marking the European Day of Languages. Public Safety & Travel: Corendon is offering a one-off 14-day cruise from Bonaire that includes Guadeloupe and other Caribbean stops. Health & Food: Soursop coverage highlights claimed benefits but notes human research remains limited. Sports & Society: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse targeting Guadeloupe-born judoka Teddy Riner after he spoke about the far-right.

Concacaf Nations League: Guadeloupe kicked off its Group B campaign with a dramatic 2-1 win over Bermuda in St Lucia, scoring late after a red card shifted the game—Enrique Russell’s penalty had given Bermuda the lead before Allan Vulgaire equalised in the 84th and Djamalee Boisné struck a minute from time. Local Football & Call-Ups: Bermuda’s squad news also highlights how international duty is reshaping lineups across the group, with players like Nahki Wells and Milai Perott set to feature as teams chase Gold Cup qualification. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight: The island’s wider cultural identity continues to draw attention, from Carnival traditions to profiles exploring Guadeloupe’s ongoing search for its place between French institutions and Caribbean roots. Sports & Society in France: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse aimed at Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the rise of the far right. Travel & Cruise Interest: Corendon announced a one-off 14-day Caribbean cruise from Bonaire that includes Guadeloupe among multiple stops.

Guadeloupe Football: Bermuda’s Nations League opener against Guadeloupe ended 1-2 after a late surge, with Enrique Russell scoring a first-half penalty before Guadeloupe equalised and won in the final minutes; the result sets the tone for the group’s tight race. Bermuda Squad Focus: Nahki Wells says the upcoming matches vs Guadeloupe and St Lucia could be among his last chances with Bermuda, while the squad includes Milai Perott and Blayz Borgesson. Regional Match Preview: Suriname host Martinique in the Nations League aiming to stay perfect, while Saint Lucia suffered a 0-2 home loss to Barbados as they start their campaign under new coach Rajesh Latchoo. Culture & Identity: A feature reflects on Guadeloupe’s Carnival morning traditions in Basse-Terre, linking Mas a Kongo to histories of slavery and resistance. Sports & Society: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse of Guadeloupe-born judoka Teddy Riner after he spoke about the rise of the far right. Travel & Events: The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe heads into the home stretch ahead of the Nov. 1 Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre start.

Caribbean Football Buzz: Guadeloupe’s Nations League campaign is in the spotlight after a dramatic 2-1 win over Bermuda, with Enrique Russell’s early penalty answered by late goals from Allan Vulgaire and Djamalee Boisné. Local Sports & Talent: Bermuda’s Nahki Wells says the matches against Guadeloupe and St Lucia could be among his last chances with the national team, while squads continue to shuffle for the international window. Culture & Identity: A feature on Guadeloupe’s Carnival morning in Basse-Terre highlights Mas a Kongo as both celebration and a living memory of slavery and resistance. Languages & Learning: European Day of Languages events include activities in Guadeloupe, tying local schools and cultural groups to the “Languages unite!” theme. Travel Watch: Kayak’s affordability roundup points to island getaways with strong value in the second half of 2026, including Vieques (Puerto Rico) as a standout. Health in Focus: A report on soursop (graviola) lists six claimed health benefits but notes that human proof remains limited. Racism Probe: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse and online harassment targeting judo star Teddy Riner, born in Guadeloupe.

Local Sports: Bermuda edged into the spotlight in the CONCACAF Nations League, but Guadeloupe stole the show late with a 2-1 win after a penalty gave Bermuda the lead—then red-card chaos and two late goals flipped the match. Nations League Focus: Bermuda’s squad is now set for Group B games against Guadeloupe and Saint Lucia, with striker Nahki Wells in form and expected to lead the attack. Culture & Community: The Liberal Chamber of Commerce drew a big crowd for the 25th Annual Duck Festival in Light Park, capped by a Duck Race at 2pm. Language & Identity: European Day of Languages is being marked with events across Europe and beyond, including activities in Guadeloupe aimed at learning, inclusion, and participation. Health & Food: Soursop (graviola) is back in the spotlight with reported health benefits, though experts note much of the science is still limited. International Attention: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse aimed at Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the rise of the far right.

CONCACAF Nations League: Bermuda edged into the spotlight after a late 2-1 loss to Guadeloupe, with Enrique Russell scoring a first-half penalty before Allan Vulgaire equalised and Djamalee Boisné struck at the death. Guadeloupe Football Focus: With the group stage heating up, Nahki Wells’ Bermuda campaign is now framed as a key push—possibly among his last—when the island faces Guadeloupe and Saint Lucia. Regional Match Preview: Suriname host Martinique in Group B, with Suriname aiming to stay perfect after a strong start, while Martinique looks to bounce back from an opening defeat. Culture & Identity: A feature on Guadeloupe’s Carnival morning in Basse-Terre highlights Mas a Kongo as both celebration and resistance, set against the island’s ongoing search for identity. Travel & Cruise: Corendon is offering a one-off 14-day cruise from Bonaire on Dec. 26, calling at Guadeloupe and other Caribbean islands. Sports & Society: French prosecutors opened an investigation into racist abuse aimed at Guadeloupe-born judo star Teddy Riner after he spoke about the rise of the far right.