AGP Executive Report

Labor & Tourism: In Saint Martin, the union says the abrupt closure of the former Secrets Hotel—now Saint Martin Beach Resort—has become a “human catastrophe,” alleging the owners used a safety-commission claim to justify cutting over 90% of jobs, with the CSE pointing to court and prefecture confirmations that no closure order existed. Airlift for Guadeloupe: Air Canada will add a new weekly nonstop Quebec City–Pointe-à-Pitre link, starting Dec. 17, 2026, running through April 8, 2027. Regional travel links: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to let passengers book combined itineraries on one ticket with checked baggage across the Caribbean and onward to Paris-Orly. Sports (Guadeloupe on the move): Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte is drawing transfer interest from Celtic, Auxerre and Millwall after a standout Ligue 2 season. Environment: France announced three new marine protection zones, including one in Guadeloupe to protect coral reefs and sea turtles, pushing protected waters to 14.68%. Culture & music: A Summer Classical Concert in St. Maarten featured Caribbean-based artists, including Guadeloupe performers, with opera-themed performances drawing standing ovations.

Airlift Boost for Guadeloupe: Air Canada will launch a new weekly nonstop Quebec City–Pointe-à-Pitre route, running Thursdays from Dec. 17, 2026 to April 8, 2027, adding 17 winter round-trips and widening eastern Canada’s access to the French Caribbean. Regional Travel Made Easier: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to let passengers book one itinerary with checked-through baggage across English- and French-speaking islands, while Winair’s interline partnership with Contour Airlines also aims to smooth multi-island connections. Sports Spotlight: Guadeloupe’s Frédérick Bleuzé helped deliver podium drama at the Michelob Ultra Boardwalk Triathlon in St. Maarten, where Gregory Pigeon and Melina Bruneau took top Olympic-distance honors. Guadeloupe in French Football Transfer Talk: Celtic are reportedly monitoring Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte (Rodez), with Millwall and Auxerre also linked as his stock rises ahead of the summer window. Ocean Protection: France announced three new marine protection zones, including one in Guadeloupe to safeguard coral reefs and sea turtles, pushing protected waters to 14.68%. Colonial Legacy Debate: France repealed the Code Noir slavery decree in a unanimous National Assembly vote, but critics say it remains largely symbolic without real reparations.

Sports & Community: The 2026 Michelob Ultra Boardwalk Triathlon in Philipsburg crowned Gregory Pertusot and Melina Bruneau, with Guadeloupe’s Frédérick Bleuzé taking third in the men’s Olympic race. Travel & Connectivity: Air Canada will launch a new weekly nonstop Quebec City–Pointe-à-Pitre route to Guadeloupe from Dec. 17, 2027 to Apr. 8, 2027, adding another Canadian gateway. Airlift in the Caribbean: New interline deals aim to make island-hopping easier, including LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes linking networks with single-ticket travel and checked baggage. Environment & Oceans: France announced three new strict marine protection zones, including one in Guadeloupe to safeguard coral reefs and sea turtles, pushing protected waters to 14.68%. Health & Justice: France’s National Assembly backed a bill acknowledging responsibility for chlordecone harm in Guadeloupe and Martinique, setting decontamination and compensation goals. Local Talent Abroad: Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte (Rodez) is drawing interest from Celtic, Auxerre and Millwall ahead of the summer transfer window.

New Air Link to Guadeloupe: Air Canada will launch a new weekly nonstop route between Quebec City and Pointe-à-Pitre, starting Dec. 17, 2026, with Thursday service running through April 8, 2027—adding another Canadian gateway to the French Caribbean. Ocean Protection Push: France announced three new marine protection zones, bringing protected waters to 14.68% of French maritime areas, including a Guadeloupe site aimed at safeguarding coral reefs and sea turtles. Regional Travel Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to let passengers book combined itineraries on one ticket, with baggage checked through across networks linking islands including Guadeloupe and Martinique. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight (Football): Celtic are reportedly monitoring Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte, the Rodez forward, as transfer talk heats up ahead of the summer window. Sports & Culture: A Summer Classical Concert in St. Maarten featured Caribbean-based artists, including Guadeloupe musicians, bringing opera music to the community. Route du Rhum Sailing: Canadian solo sailor Scott Shawyer is training for the Vendée Globe 2028 and will first race the Route du Rhum from France to Guadeloupe in November.

Air Connectivity: Air Canada is adding a new nonstop winter route from Quebec City to Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), launching Dec. 17 and running weekly Thursdays through April 8, 2027—another boost for eastern Canada’s access to the French Caribbean. Ocean Protection: France announced three new strict marine protection zones, bringing protected waters to 14.68%—including a Guadeloupe area aimed at safeguarding coral reefs and sea turtles. Health & Justice: France’s National Assembly repealed the Code Noir slavery decree, but campaigners say it’s symbolic without real reparations; separate coverage also highlights France’s move to acknowledge responsibility for chlordecone harm in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Travel Links: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to sell combined itineraries on one ticket, easing island-to-island and Europe connections via Guadeloupe and Martinique. Local Sports: Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte is drawing transfer interest, with Celtic reportedly among the clubs monitoring the Rodez forward.

Ocean Protection Push: France says it has reached 14.68% of maritime waters under strict protection, adding three new marine protection zones including one in Guadeloupe to safeguard coral reefs and sea turtles. Health & Justice: France’s parliament has unanimously adopted a bill recognizing the State’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone pesticide scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, with more than 90% of adults reported to carry traces and plans for decontamination and support for victims. Air Connectivity for the Islands: LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal to let travellers book combined trips on one ticket, with baggage checked through—aimed at easing fragmented Caribbean airlift. New Direct Route: LIAT Air will launch a twice-weekly direct service between Pointe-à-Pitre and Montego Bay starting July 14, timed to boost travel for Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest. Local Sports Spotlight: Celtic are reportedly tracking Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte after his Ligue 2 breakout with Rodez, as summer transfer talk heats up.

Summer Culture: The Summer Classical Concert at Belair Community Center in St. Maarten brought piano, cello and soprano performances, with three Guadeloupe-based artists (Lucile Mauchoffé, Dominic Boulianne, Marie Marsolle) helping deliver a standing ovation. Regional Travel Boost: LIAT Air is launching the first direct Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe)–Montego Bay (Jamaica) service on July 14, with twice-weekly flights timed ahead of Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest. Airlift Connectivity: New interline deals aim to make island-hopping easier, including LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes linking networks with single-ticket, checked-through itineraries. Health & Justice in the French West Indies: France’s National Assembly backed a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, with plans for remediation and victim support. Sports Spotlight: Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte is drawing transfer interest from Celtic, Millwall and Auxerre after a standout Ligue 2 season.

Air Travel Shock: Eleven airlines have collapsed into administration in 2026, with holidaymakers facing cancelled trips; the latest hit is European Cargo in Bournemouth, expected to cut about 180 jobs, as fuel costs surge after the Iran conflict and Iata warns profits could be halved. Regional Connectivity Boost: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal for single-ticket, through-checked travel across the Caribbean and onward to Paris-Orly, while LIAT Air also launches a direct Pointe-à-Pitre–Montego Bay route from July 14. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight: Celtic scouts are reportedly watching Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte at Rodez after his Ligue 2 breakout, with transfer talk heating up. Health & Accountability: France’s parliament voted to repeal the Code Noir and also adopted a bill recognising the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, including long-term health and environmental harm. Environment & Justice: OECS partners visited Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management, and a regional arbitration training programme is set to launch to strengthen access to economic justice across the Eastern Caribbean.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously voted to recognize the state’s “share of responsibility” for the health, moral, environmental and economic harm linked to chlordecone in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with MPs citing contamination affecting over 90% of adults and links to cancers; an interministerial mission is set to assess cleanup and remediation. Direct Air Link: LIAT Air is launching the first-ever direct flights between Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Montego Bay (Jamaica) from July 14, twice weekly, timed ahead of Reggae Sumfest. Caribbean–Europe Connectivity: New LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes interline deals (single ticket, checked baggage through) aim to smooth multi-island travel and connect Eastern Caribbean routes with Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana plus Paris-Orly. Regional Mobility by Sea: KARULINK partners met in Guadeloupe to plan more regular passenger routes and better intermodal, sustainable transport across participating territories. Sports Spotlight: Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte (Rodez) is drawing transfer interest from Celtic, Millwall and Auxerre as summer talks heat up. Travel Disruption: A fishermen’s strike in Guadeloupe has blocked the port of Pointe-à-Pitre, disrupting ferry services to Dominica.

Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes have signed an interline deal to let passengers book combined Caribbean routes on a single ticket, with baggage checked through—linking islands including Guadeloupe and Martinique to Antigua, Jamaica and more, and easing travel across English-, French- and Dutch-speaking territories. New Direct Route: LIAT Air will launch the first-ever direct flights between Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Montego Bay (Jamaica) from July 14, twice weekly, timed ahead of Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest. Health & Justice: France’s National Assembly has voted unanimously to recognize the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone (Kepone) pesticide scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, with plans for decontamination, support for victims, and further work on future compensation. Environment: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management and develop value-added uses for the seaweed. Sports (Local Link): Guadeloupe international Taïryk Arconte is drawing transfer interest in Europe after a breakout Ligue 2 season, with Celtic and Millwall among the clubs linked.

Regional Air Links: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes have launched an interline agreement, letting travellers book combined itineraries on a single ticket with checked baggage through—connecting Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana to the wider Caribbean and onward to Paris-Orly. New Route to Jamaica: LIAT Air will start a direct Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe)–Montego Bay (Jamaica) service on July 14, with twice-weekly flights, timed to boost travel for Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest. Health & Justice: France’s National Assembly has voted unanimously to recognise the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, paving the way for decontamination goals and compensation discussions. Legal Training for Business: The OHADAC–CARO Centre in Guadeloupe will launch arbitration and ADR training with the OECS, aiming to strengthen access to economic justice across the Eastern Caribbean. Connectivity Upgrade in the Region: Flow says it has invested over US$1 million to tackle mobile network interference affecting northern Dominica, tracing the source to a Guadeloupe operator. Sports Spotlight: Guadeloupe’s Taïryk Arconte is drawing transfer interest after a standout Ligue 2 season, with Celtic and Millwall among the clubs linked.

Guadeloupe Spotlight (Football): Celtic and other clubs are reportedly tracking Guadeloupe international winger Taïryk Arconte of Rodez, after his Ligue 2 breakout (14 goals) and with his contract running to 2028; Millwall and Auxerre are also named in the transfer buzz. Regional Travel (Aviation): LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes have launched an interline deal letting passengers book combined itineraries on one ticket, with checked baggage through—linking Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana with the wider Eastern Caribbean and onward to Paris-Orly. New Route (Guadeloupe–Jamaica): LIAT Air will start a direct Pointe-à-Pitre–Montego Bay service on July 14, twice weekly, timed to boost travel for Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest. Health & Justice (Chlordecone): France’s National Assembly has voted unanimously to acknowledge the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, with an interministerial mission set to assess remediation. Environment & Connectivity (Maritime): Partners of the EU-backed KARULINK project met in Guadeloupe to plan new regular passenger routes and greener, better-connected inter-island transport. Disruption (Ferries): A fishermen’s strike in Guadeloupe has blocked Pointe-à-Pitre port, disrupting ferry services to Dominica.

Aviation Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes have signed an interline agreement taking effect June 1, letting passengers book combined trips on a single ticket with through-checked baggage—linking LIAT’s Eastern Caribbean network (including Jamaica) with Air Caraïbes services from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, plus Air Caraïbes’ Paris-Orly link. New Direct Route: LIAT Air will launch the first-ever direct flights between Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre) and Jamaica (Montego Bay) on July 14, with twice-weekly service. Health & Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously adopted a bill acknowledging the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, where lawmakers cite contamination affecting over 90% of adults and long-term health harms; an interministerial mission is set to assess remediation. Regional Mobility: The KARULINK project held its first steering committee in Guadeloupe to plan more integrated Caribbean maritime routes and mobility, supported by the EU INTERREG programme. Environment & Sargassum: An OECS delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management and explore value-added uses for the seaweed. Legal Training: The OHADAC Regional Arbitration Centre (CARO) in Guadeloupe will launch June 10 training on arbitration and ADR with the OECS to strengthen access to economic justice across the Eastern Caribbean.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to recognize the state’s “share of responsibility” for the long-running chlordecone (Kepone) health and environmental damage in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with lawmakers citing contamination affecting over 90% of adults and links to cancers, while an inspection mission is set to assess cleanup and support. Direct Caribbean Links: LIAT Air will launch a new twice-weekly direct route between Pointe-à-Pitre and Montego Bay starting July 14, timed to boost travel for Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest. Regional Air Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal for single-ticket travel with through-checked baggage across their combined networks, including Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. Legal Reckoning on Slavery: France also moved to repeal the Code Noir, the 1685 slavery-era law that treated enslaved people as property, a symbolic step that still leaves reparations debates open. Connectivity Tech in the Region: Flow says it invested over US$1 million in upgrades after detecting mobile interference in northern Dominica traced to a Guadeloupe operator. Maritime Cooperation: Caribbean partners met in Guadeloupe to advance KARULINK, an EU-backed project to improve regional maritime routes and mobility.

Regional Connectivity Boost: KARULINK partners met in Guadeloupe (June 2–3) to push new maritime routes, better transport links, and greener mobility across Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts & Nevis, and Guadeloupe, backed by the EU INTERREG Caribbean programme. Air Links for Islanders: LIAT Air will launch the first direct Pointe-à-Pitre–Montego Bay service on July 14, with twice-weekly flights, timed ahead of Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest. Travel Made Easier: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal from June 1 so passengers can book on one ticket with through-checked baggage across Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and onward to Europe. Health & Justice: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to acknowledge the state’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone scandal, with an interministerial mission expected soon for remediation and support. Law & History: MPs also voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, ending a slavery-era legal text that had remained on the books. Local Disruption: Ferry services to Dominica were disrupted after a fishermen’s strike in Guadeloupe blocked Pointe-à-Pitre port.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s National Assembly has unanimously backed a bill recognizing the state’s “share of responsibility” for the health, environmental and economic harm from the chlordecone pesticide in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with MPs citing contamination affecting nearly 90% of adults and links to cancers and other long-term effects. Aviation Boost for Guadeloupe: LIAT Air will launch the first direct flights between Pointe-à-Pitre and Montego Bay on July 14, with twice-weekly service timed ahead of Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest. Easier Caribbean-Europe Connections: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline deal from June 1, letting travelers book on one ticket with checked baggage through—connecting Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana to the wider region and onward to Paris-Orly. Regional Disruption: Ferry services to Dominica were disrupted after a fishermen’s strike in Guadeloupe blocked the port of Pointe-à-Pitre. Legal-History Shift: France also moved to repeal the Code Noir slavery law, a major symbolic step that still leaves reparations debates unresolved.