AGP Executive Report

Sovereignty in focus: France and Canada will send leaders Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney to Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon next week to reaffirm support for national borders after Donald Trump posted a North America map colouring in Canada, Greenland, parts of the Caribbean and French overseas territories including Guadeloupe and Martinique. EU outermost regions: The European Commission unveiled a new strategy for EU outermost regions—explicitly naming Guadeloupe and Martinique—aimed at adapting rules to local realities and boosting resilience, competitiveness and access to the single market. Deforestation rules tweak: Brussels also proposed a targeted change that would remove French Guiana from the EU deforestation regulation’s scope, citing enforcement and geography—an issue that could ripple across the region’s trade. Caribbean travel push: Explora Journeys announced a 2026-27 Caribbean season across two ships, with stops including Guadeloupe. Health & environment: A new report highlights record sargassum seaweed impacts across the Caribbean, warning of harm to tourism and respiratory health.

Sovereignty Diplomacy: French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian PM Mark Carney will visit Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon on Sept 19-21 (Carney joins Sept 20) to reaffirm “freedom, democracy, the rule of law” and respect for nations’ sovereignty after Donald Trump shared a map flagging Canada, Greenland, parts of the Caribbean and even French overseas territories including Guadeloupe and Martinique. EU Outer Regions Push: The European Commission unveiled a new strategy for the EU’s outermost regions—explicitly naming Guadeloupe and Martinique—aimed at adapting EU rules to local realities, boosting competitiveness and resilience, and improving access to services. Trade & Tech Talks: Separately, Mark Carney is reported to be exploring closer EU ties for Canada, including an “associate member” style arrangement, as Ottawa weighs sectors like energy, defence and critical minerals amid US-EU tensions. Tourism Calendar: Explora Journeys announced a 2026-27 Caribbean season across two ships, with stops including Guadeloupe.

Sovereignty Row: French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian PM Mark Carney will make a symbolic visit to Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon (Sept 19-21, with Carney on Sept 20) after Donald Trump shared a map colouring parts of the Caribbean and French overseas territories, including Guadeloupe and Martinique, in US colours. EU Outer Regions Push: The European Commission unveiled a new strategy and regulatory package for the EU’s outermost regions—explicitly naming Guadeloupe and Martinique—aimed at adapting EU rules to local realities, boosting competitiveness and access to the single market, and strengthening resilience. Travel & Tourism: Explora Journeys announced a 2026-27 Caribbean season across two ships, with stops including Guadeloupe. Route du Rhum Spotlight: Alpina is releasing limited-edition watches tied to the Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe solo race starting Nov 1. Mental Health Reminder: A mental health director urged communities across the Caribbean to treat suicide prevention as everyone’s job, stressing listening, empathy, and getting professional help.

EU Outer Regions Push: The European Commission unveiled a new strategy and regulatory package for the EU’s outermost regions, including Guadeloupe and Martinique, aiming to adapt EU rules to local realities and boost resilience, competitiveness, and access to services. Deforestation Rules Twist: Brussels also proposed exempting French Guiana from the EU Deforestation Regulation’s scope via a special procedure, citing enforcement and geographic constraints—while products shipped to the rest of the EU would still have to comply. Mental Health Call: Saint Lucia’s Mental Health Director urged people to treat suicide prevention as everyone’s job, stressing listening, empathy, and getting professional help. Caribbean Cruise Boost: Explora Journeys announced a 2026-27 Caribbean season across two ships, with stops including Guadeloupe. Route du Rhum Watch: Alpina is releasing limited-edition watches for the solo Atlantic race to Guadeloupe starting November 1. Sport & Culture: A Guadeloupe-linked football note surfaced in Singapore’s league signings, while a Caribbean-focused London restaurant expanded its menu with dishes inspired by Guadeloupe and the wider region.

EU Outermost Regions Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a new strategic vision for EU outermost regions including Guadeloupe, proposing targeted rule changes to boost competitiveness, resilience, and access to services like healthcare and education. Deforestation Rules Update: Brussels also moved to tailor the EU Deforestation Regulation for French Guiana, citing enforcement and geography—while keeping compliance for goods shipped to the rest of the EU. Tourism & Travel: Explora Journeys announced a 2026-27 Caribbean season on two ships, with stops including Guadeloupe, plus new cruise options making the Southern Caribbean easier to reach. Mental Health Push: A mental health director urged people across the region to treat suicide prevention as everyone’s job, stressing listening, empathy, and getting professional help. Route du Rhum Spotlight: Ahead of the solo Atlantic race to Guadeloupe, Alpina is releasing limited-edition watches tied to the event. Local Culture & Food: In the UK, The Good Front Room is expanding its Caribbean menu with dishes inspired by Guadeloupe and other islands.

EU Outermost Regions Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a new strategic vision for EU outermost regions including Guadeloupe, aiming to adapt rules to local realities and boost resilience, competitiveness, and access to housing, healthcare and education. Deforestation Regulation Update: Brussels also proposed removing French Guiana from the territorial scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation, citing enforcement and geographic constraints—while products shipped to the rest of the EU would still have to comply. Caribbean Tourism Boost: Explora Journeys announced a 2026-27 Caribbean season across two ships, with Guadeloupe listed among destinations, plus highlights like Dominica’s waterfalls and Virgin Gorda’s Baths. Mental Health Push: Saint Lucia’s Mental Health Director urged everyone to take suicide prevention seriously, stressing listening, empathy, and getting professional help. Route du Rhum Watch: Alpina is releasing limited-edition watches for the solo Atlantic race to Guadeloupe starting November 1. Sargassum Alert: A new report highlights record sargassum impacts across the Caribbean, warning of health and tourism damage from beaching seaweed.

EU Outer Regions Push: The European Commission unveiled a new strategy for EU outermost regions including Guadeloupe and Martinique, promising rule changes to better fit local realities and boost resilience, jobs, and access to the single market. Deforestation Rules Twist: Brussels also proposes a special adjustment that would remove French Guiana from the EU deforestation regulation’s scope in some cases, citing enforcement and geography—while keeping other goods subject to the rules. Caribbean Travel Boost: Cruise itineraries for the Southern Caribbean are set to expand in 2026–27, making ports like Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao easier to reach without long repositioning trips. Route du Rhum Watch: The solo Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe kicks off Nov. 1 from Saint-Malo, with Alpina releasing limited-edition watches for the race. Local Food Scene: In London, The Good Front Room is rolling out a new “lickle plates” and “big plates” menu with Caribbean-wide dishes, including Guadeloupe-inspired colombo de poulet. Sargassum Alert: A new report highlights record sargassum impacts across the Caribbean, warning of health and tourism damage as seaweed mats pile up on coasts.

EU Outer Regions Push: The European Commission unveiled a new strategy for its outermost regions, including Guadeloupe and Martinique, aiming to adapt EU rules to local realities and boost competitiveness, access to the single market, resilience, and social inclusion. Sargassum Warning: A fresh look at the sargassum superbloom highlights how seaweed mats are piling up across the Caribbean, harming tourism and fishing and worsening respiratory problems for workers clearing beaches. Caribbean Cruise Boost: Southern Caribbean cruising is set to get easier as major lines launch more itineraries in 2026–2027, opening up bucket-list ports like Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao without long repositioning trips. Route du Rhum Focus: The solo Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe is set for Nov. 1, with Alpina releasing limited-edition watches tied to the race. Local Sports Note: French judo star Teddy Riner will miss another World Championships due to injury. Rum Spotlight: The Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth are nearing, bringing blind judging across both rum traditions, including rhum agricole linked to Martinique and Guadeloupe.

EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a new strategic vision for its outermost regions—including Guadeloupe—aimed at stronger support, tougher resilience, and fairer opportunities, alongside targeted tweaks to EU rules for areas like agriculture, fisheries, migration, and taxation. Sargassum Crisis: A record surge of floating sargassum is again smothering Caribbean coasts, damaging reefs and mangroves, disrupting fishing, and harming tourism workers’ health as the weed releases foul gases during decomposition. Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe: Solo sailors will race across the Atlantic to Guadeloupe on November 1, with Alpina launching limited-edition watches tied to the 13th edition. Caribbean Travel: Explora Journeys announced its 2026-27 Caribbean season, with sailings from Miami and a second ship debuting via San Juan, Puerto Rico. US-Cuba Tensions: Cuba’s president hit back at Donald Trump’s AI-style “takeover” map that includes Cuba and other Caribbean territories, escalating a fresh diplomatic standoff. Guadeloupe in the EU spotlight: The EU’s plan explicitly frames the Atlantic-to-Caribbean regions as key to Europe’s global reach and maritime strength.

US-Cuba Tensions: Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel hit back at Donald Trump’s AI-style “takeover” map, saying Cuba “will never again” be a colony and vowing to defend sovereignty, as Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez mocked the idea of Americans being “geographically disoriented”; the map also reportedly flags territories including Martinique, Guadeloupe and Cuba, underscoring the sharpest strain in decades. Guadeloupe Sports & Judo: French judo star Teddy Riner will miss another World Championships with a shoulder injury, while Guadeloupe-born footballer Thomas Lemar has joined Spain’s Elche on loan from Atlético Madrid. Local Sports Spotlight: Bermuda cyclist Kaden Hopkins says a second shoulder operation after a crash during the Tour of Guadeloupe is going better, with faster recovery. Caribbean Culture & Travel: A St Barth rum awards build-up is underway, and a travel piece highlights Caribbean getaways where golf carts are part of the experience.

Sports & Community: Teddy Riner will miss another World Championships in October due to a shoulder injury, delaying his comeback after elbow surgery and keeping the spotlight on Guadeloupe-born Marie-José Pérec’s Paris Olympic legacy. Football: Manchester United return to the Champions League spotlight at Old Trafford this week, hosting Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK for the first time in club history after a long absence from European competition. Guadeloupe in the spotlight: Baie-Mahault-born Thomas Lemar has joined Spanish side 3Elche on loan from Atlético Madrid, adding a local connection to the La Liga transfer buzz. Local sport update: Bermuda cyclist Kaden Hopkins is back training after a second collarbone operation following a crash during the Tour of Guadeloupe, with recovery reported as quicker this time. Culture & Food: In London, ‘The Good Front Room’ is reshaping its Caribbean menu with Guadeloupe and wider Caribbean influences, moving to “Lickle Plates” and “Big Plates” for a more flexible dining experience. International rum: St Barth’s Caribbean Rum Awards are gearing up for blind judging and a “World Championship” showdown across rum traditions, including rhum agricole roots in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Royal Rift in the UK: King Charles has told senior officials that Harry and Meghan should be treated as “private citizens,” barred from using HRH titles and not funded with public money—while the Sussex camp says it was surprised by the timing. Caribbean Flavours in Dining: After Dominic Taylor’s July death, The Good Front Room says it will keep his spirit alive with new head chef Amani Garcia and a revamped menu featuring Caribbean dishes, including inspiration from Guyana, Trinidad and Guadeloupe. Trump Map Sparks Outrage: Donald Trump posted an AI-style map showing an enlarged “United States” covering much of North America and parts of the Caribbean; Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir of Iceland called it an insult to sovereignty and said the response is serious. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight via Streaming: Netflix’s Danish thriller “The Secret Woman” is reportedly at No.1 in Guadeloupe and other territories, showing strong local streaming demand. Local Sports & Talent: Baie-Mahault, Guadeloupe-born Thomas Lemar has joined Elche on loan from Atlético Madrid, aiming for more playing time. Route du Rhum Build-Up: Pep Costa won the English Channel Atlantic Class40 Trophy, with his sights set on the Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe.

EU Border Push: Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares is set to meet EU officials to press for making Ceuta and Melilla a European issue, including a bid for a more permanent seat for the enclaves in the European Committee of the Regions. Caribbean Travel Mood: A new travel roundup spotlights Caribbean spots where golf carts are part of the vacation rhythm, naming Guadeloupe among the destinations in the “get around” guide. US Map Controversy: Donald Trump posted an AI-style map on Truth Social showing an expanded U.S. stretching into parts of North America and the Caribbean, with no clear policy explanation from the White House. Local Sports Spotlight: Guadeloupe-born defender Thomas Lemar has joined Elche on loan from Atlético Madrid, while Bermuda cyclist Kaden Hopkins—after a Tour of Guadeloupe crash—returns to training following shoulder surgery in Spain. Culture & Heritage: Nominations for UNESCO’s Memory of the World regional register include Guadeloupe/France, with evaluation due at MoWLAC in late 2026. Racing: Pep Costa won the English Channel Atlantic Class40 Trophy, setting up Route du Rhum—Destination Guadeloupe ambitions.

Route du Rhum Build-Up (Sailing): Pep Costa has won the 2026 English Channel Atlantic Class40 Trophy, finishing ahead of Robin Follin and Lucas Rosetti, with a season marked by consistency and a clear aim to arrive in top shape for the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe. Culture & Heritage (UNESCO): Guadeloupe/France received 1 nomination in the 2026 Call of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Regional Register for Latin America and the Caribbean, with 87 nominations total across 23 participating countries, to be assessed at MoWLAC in November 2026. Local Life (France Hunting Rules): France’s 2026-27 hunting season opens on different dates by department, with local authorities able to impose bans after this year’s wildfires; calendars are set by prefectural decree and species-specific rules apply. Aviation (Caribbean Airlines): Caribbean Airlines is pushing a transformation plan to improve operations, customer service and financial stability, including new duty-free and gift-card options. Entertainment (Guadeloupe in the spotlight): Netflix’s Danish thriller The Secret Woman is topping charts in several places, including Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. Sports (Football, Guadeloupe link): 7Racing Santander are close to signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeanuël Belocian on loan; the Baie-Mahault, Guadeloupe-born player is set to continue his comeback in Spain.

Hunting Season Watch (France): France’s 2026-27 hunting season is underway with opening and closing dates set by department and species, and local authorities able to impose bans after this year’s wildfires; hunters can check prefecture calendars via the national federation’s online tool. Regional Aviation (Caribbean): Caribbean Airlines is pushing a transformation plan focused on operations, customer service and financial sustainability, including a new Duty-Free Bridal Registry and gift cards for travellers. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight (Streaming): Netflix’s Danish thriller The Secret Woman has surged globally, hitting No. 1 in several places including Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. Football (Guadeloupe-born player): Baie-Mahault’s Thomas Lemar has joined Elche on loan from Atlético Madrid, seeking more playing time after being left out at club level. Local Sports Update (Tour of Guadeloupe): Cyclist Kaden Hopkins says his second shoulder operation after a crash in the Tour of Guadeloupe is going better, with faster recovery and a return to training. Politics (France 2027): A guide to the 2027 French presidential election notes that Guadeloupe and other overseas territories vote on the preceding Saturday to meet the timetable for results.

Entertainment & Streaming: Taapsee Pannu says her Netflix release “Gandhari” is surging worldwide, hitting top spots in eight countries and ranking high globally within days. Guadeloupe in the Spotlight: A Danish Netflix thriller, “The Secret Woman,” is climbing charts and is currently No. 1 in Guadeloupe (alongside Martinique and Réunion), showing how overseas territories are pulling in global hits. Local Sports (Football): Guadeloupe-born defender Jeanuël Belocian (Les Abymes) is reportedly close to a deadline-day loan move to Racing Santander from Bayer Leverkusen. Local Sports (Cycling): Bermuda cyclist Kaden Hopkins, injured after a crash during the Tour of Guadeloupe, has returned to training after a second shoulder operation in Spain. Culture & Heritage: St. Kitts and Nevis leaders, including Kalinago Chief Anette Sanford, visited to expand Kalinago craft and economic opportunities beyond Dominica.