AGP Executive Report

Aviation Shock: 11 major airlines have collapsed into administration, with holiday cancellations and job losses as fuel costs surge after the Iran–US conflict choked oil supplies and jet fuel is projected to be far higher in 2026. Nuclear Medicine Link: Martinique’s health ministry says an oncology centre that manufactures radiopharmaceuticals is ready to supply Guyana with radioactive drugs for cancer treatment. Toxic Pesticide Accountability: France’s lawmakers have voted to acknowledge the state’s partial responsibility for chlordecone harm in Martinique and Guadeloupe, where most adults are contaminated and health impacts include prostate cancer—pushing decontamination, compensation, and renewed research. Water-from-Air Breakthrough: A Nobel Prize-winning chemist’s moisture-from-atmosphere machine could produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily, aiming to help water-scarce regions. Disaster Readiness: The Antilles Armed Forces’ “Operation Caribbean 26” is training for a major cyclone scenario, with Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units and specialized engineering, rescue, and recovery teams.

Nuclear Medicine Supply: Martinique’s health minister Dr Frank Anthony says an oncology centre in Martinique can supply Guyana with radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) to treat cancers, with discussions already underway and cancer survivors sharing how treatment and lab testing support patients. Pesticide Justice in the French Caribbean: France’s lower house has voted to recognise the state’s partial responsibility for chlordecone (Kepone) harm in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where about 90% of adults are contaminated; linked risks include prostate cancer, plus impacts on nerves, hormones and reproduction, and the bill sets goals for decontamination, compensation and renewed research. Disaster Readiness: Liberty Caribbean says it is ready for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, highlighting network resilience and rapid recovery after Hurricane Melissa showed how connectivity becomes a lifeline during crises. Water-Tech Curiosity: A Nobel Prize-winning chemist’s “water-from-air” approach using moisture-capturing materials could produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily, pointing to new options for water-stressed regions. Science & Memory: France continues grappling with slavery and colonial legacies, from public memorials in port cities to debates over how to repair Caribbean-linked harm alongside national symbols.

Pesticide Justice in the French West Indies: France’s lower house voted to acknowledge the state’s partial responsibility for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone), used on banana plantations in Guadeloupe and Martinique despite health warnings; with about 90% of adults contaminated and links to cancers plus nervous and reproductive effects, the bill pushes decontamination, victim support, and renewed research. Disaster-Response Training: Martinique and Guadeloupe’s forces are taking part in “Operation Caraïbes 26,” a multinational exercise simulating a major cyclone to improve humanitarian aid and disaster relief coordination, including engineering, route recovery, rescue, and intelligence teams. Water-from-Air Breakthrough: A Nobel Prize-winning chemist’s team is developing a machine that can produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily by pulling moisture from the atmosphere using metal-organic materials, aiming at off-grid water shortages. Climate Pressure Builds: 2026 is bringing stronger El Niño-driven heat and drought across the Caribbean, stressing aquifers, reservoirs, ecosystems, and tourism infrastructure. Memory & Science of the Past: France continues confronting slavery and colonial legacies, from port-city debates over monuments to new memorial work tied to Martinique-linked histories.

Pesticide Justice in the French West Indies: France’s lower house has voted to recognize the state’s partial responsibility for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where around 90% of adults are contaminated; the chemical has been linked to prostate cancer and other serious health impacts, and the new bill sets goals for decontamination, compensation, and renewed research. Water-from-Air Breakthrough: A Nobel Prize-winning chemist’s system can produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily by pulling moisture from the atmosphere using metal-organic materials, aiming to help communities facing water shortages. Blue Zones Reality Check: Researchers are debating whether the famed longevity hotspots are fading or were overstated due to earlier data issues, with modernization and stricter criteria reshaping the story. Climate Pressure in 2026: The Caribbean is seeing sharper drought and heat linked to a strong El Niño pattern, stressing water supplies, ecosystems, and tourism infrastructure. Disaster Readiness: “Operation Caraïbes 26” is training Antilles forces for a major cyclone scenario, including engineering, rescue, and route-recovery teams.

Pesticide Justice in the French West Indies: France’s lower house has voted to recognize the state’s partial responsibility for the long-term health, environmental, and economic harm linked to chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where about 90% of adults are contaminated; lawmakers cite links to prostate cancer and other serious impacts, and the bill sets goals for decontamination, victim support, and renewed research. Water-from-Air Breakthrough: A Nobel Prize-winning chemist’s system is being developed to produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water per day by pulling moisture from the atmosphere using engineered porous materials, aiming to help communities facing water shortages. Blue Zones Debate: New scrutiny is challenging whether “longevity hotspots” truly deliver the extreme old-age claims, with researchers pointing to data quality issues and changing lifestyles, while others argue some regions still meet stricter standards. Climate Pressure Across the Caribbean: 2026 is bringing sharper drought and heat stress tied to a strong El Niño pattern, threatening water supplies, ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Disaster Response Training: “Operation Caraïbes 26” continues as a multinational drill for cyclone-scale humanitarian relief, including specialized units and engineering and recovery capabilities. Memory and Slavery Reckoning: In Nantes, activists and descendants of slave traders are working to keep a major memorial—built around a ship’s mast—visible as France confronts its slavery legacy.

Pesticide Justice in the French West Indies: France’s lower house has voted to recognize the state’s partial responsibility for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where about 90% of adults are contaminated; lawmakers cite links to cancers (including prostate) and damage to the nervous, hormonal, and reproductive systems, and the bill sets goals for decontamination, victim support, and renewed research. Memory and Accountability: In Nantes, activists including a descendant of enslaved people from Martinique and a descendant of slave traders are building the “Mast of Fraternity and Memory,” using a ship’s mast memorial to push France to confront slavery’s legacy. Water From Thin Air: A Nobel Prize-winning chemist’s team is developing a machine that can produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily by pulling moisture from the atmosphere using metal-organic materials and solar heat. Longevity Debate: New scrutiny challenges whether “blue zones” truly deliver the extreme lifespan claims, with some data suggesting fading advantages as modernization spreads. Climate Pressure in the Caribbean: 2026 is bringing drought, sea-level rise, and extreme heat tied to a strong El Niño pattern, stressing water supplies, ecosystems, and farming. Disaster Readiness: “Operation Caraïbes 26” continues as a multinational Antilles training exercise simulating a major cyclone, with specialized units including Martinique’s RSMA under the Armed Forces’ command.

Pesticide Accountability: France’s lower house voted to acknowledge the state’s responsibility for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) used in banana plantations in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with the Senate already approving; Public Health & Research: Santé Publique France cites contamination affecting over 90% of adults, while Anses links exposure to prostate cancer and points to nervous, hormonal, and reproductive impacts; Reparations & Cleanup: the bill targets decontaminating land and water, compensating victims (including fishermen and farmers), and making scientific research a national priority; Climate Pressure: Caribbean islands face worsening drought and heat driven by a strong El Niño pattern, threatening freshwater supplies, ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure; Disaster Readiness: “Operation Caraïbes 26” is running through June 4, training Antilles forces for a simulated major cyclone response with engineering, rescue, route recovery, and intelligence support; Local Security Cooperation: France’s 2025 Haiti cooperation review highlights equipment deliveries and training for Haitian police, plus continued soldier training in Martinique.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s lower house has voted to recognize the state’s partial responsibility for the health, environmental and economic harm caused by chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with the Senate already approving; the pesticide was used on banana plantations from 1972–1993 despite warnings, and Santé Publique France cites contamination affecting over 90% of adults, while Anses links exposure to prostate cancer and other harms. Public Health & Cleanup Plan: The bill sets decontamination goals for polluted land and water, calls for compensation and support for affected fishermen and farmers, and prioritizes further research and a mission to define future reparations. Water From Air Breakthrough: A Nobel-winning chemist’s system can produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily by extracting moisture from the atmosphere using metal-organic frameworks. Longevity Debate: “Blue zones” are under fresh scrutiny as researchers question whether extreme longevity claims are holding up or fading with modernization. Climate Pressure in the Caribbean: 2026 brings drought, sea-level rise and extreme heat tied to a strong El Niño pattern, stressing water supplies, ecosystems and agriculture. Disaster Response Training: “Operation Caraïbes 26” runs through June 4, with Antilles forces rehearsing humanitarian and disaster relief for a simulated major cyclone, including Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units.

Pesticide Justice in the French West Indies: France’s lower house has voted to recognize the state’s responsibility for the health, environmental and economic harm linked to chlordecone (Kepone) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where the pesticide was used on banana plantations from 1972 to 1993 despite warnings. Health & Science Impact: With Santé Publique France citing contamination of over 90% of adults, lawmakers point to links to prostate cancer plus other harms to the nervous and hormonal systems and reproduction. Reparations & Cleanup Plan: The bill backs decontamination of land and water, compensation for victims, support for fishermen and farmers, and a renewed push for research and a mission to define future reparations. Climate Pressure Across the Region: Separately, coverage highlights worsening 2026 conditions—drought, sea-level rise and extreme heat tied to a strong El Niño—threatening water supplies, ecosystems and tourism infrastructure.

Water Tech: Nobel-winning chemist Omar Yaghi’s team is pushing a “water-from-air” machine that can produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water daily by using metal-organic frameworks to capture moisture from the atmosphere and release it with sunlight or low heat. Public Health & Accountability: French lawmakers voted to acknowledge the state’s partial responsibility for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone), a toxic pesticide used in banana plantations across Guadeloupe and Martinique despite health warnings; reporting cites contamination affecting nearly 90% of people in the islands and links to cancers and other health impacts. Disaster Readiness: In the Antilles, multinational training “Operation Caraïbes 26” (running until June 4) is simulating a major cyclone response, with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s adapted military service units placed under the Antilles Armed Forces for engineering, route recovery, rescue, and coordination drills. Climate Pressure: Caribbean islands are facing sharper 2026 climate swings—drought, sea-level rise, and extreme heat tied to a strong El Niño—threatening freshwater supplies, ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure.

Water Security Breakthrough: Nobel Prize-winning chemist Omar Yaghi’s team is developing a device that can produce up to 1,000 litres of clean drinking water per day by pulling moisture from the air using metal-organic materials and solar heat. Toxic Pesticide Accountability: French MPs say the state shares responsibility for long-term harm from chlordecone (Kepone) used in banana plantations in Martinique and Guadeloupe, with research cited showing about 90% contamination and links to cancers and other health effects. Disaster Readiness in the Antilles: “Operation Caraïbes 26” is running until June 4, training multinational forces for a simulated major cyclone response, including engineering, rescue, and infrastructure recovery units with Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA regiments. Climate Stress Across the Region: Caribbean islands are facing harsher drought and heat patterns in 2026, with a strong El Niño driving extreme conditions that threaten water supplies, ecosystems, and agriculture. Regional Health Supply: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS are convening a workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states through better procurement and pooled purchasing.

Pesticide Accountability: French lawmakers voted to acknowledge the state’s partial responsibility for allowing chlordecone (Kepone) to be used in the French West Indies despite health warnings, with research cited by ANSES saying about 90% of people in Martinique and Guadeloupe were contaminated; the chemical has been linked to cancers and other long-term harms. Disaster Response Training: “Operation Caraïbes 26” is underway until June 4, a multinational Antilles exercise simulating a major cyclone and deploying specialized units including Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA regiments to improve cross-border humanitarian disaster relief coordination. Climate Pressure: The Caribbean is facing major 2026 climate shifts—drought, rising seas, and extreme heat tied to a strong El Niño pattern—threatening water supplies, ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Health & Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a joint planning workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to launch a technical working group focused on safer, quality-assured medicines and better pooled procurement across OECS states. Trade Links With Martinique: Saint Lucia is advancing plans with Martinique through cross-ministerial talks aimed at practical export growth, including product testing, certification, traceability, and compliance under CARIFORUM-EU frameworks.

Climate & Water Stress: The Caribbean is seeing major 2026 climate swings—prolonged droughts, rising seas, and a strong El Niño pattern driving heat and erratic rainfall—threatening aquifers, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure. Disaster Readiness: In the Antilles, “Operation Caraïbes 26” is running until June 4, with multinational training for cyclone-scale humanitarian response, including Martinique’s RSMA units and specialized engineering, rescue, and route-recovery teams. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS are convening a regional workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Environment & Marine Risk: Dominica is hosting regional SARSEA meetings on sargassum management, with plans shaping field work in Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Regional Trade & Tech Partnerships: Saint Lucia is advancing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique, including import-export facilitation for specific product categories and work toward a more structured regional framework.

Disaster Readiness: Liberty Caribbean says it’s ready for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, highlighting network resilience and faster recovery after Hurricane Melissa. Regional Emergency Training: Armed Forces in the Antilles are running Operation Caribbean 26 through June 4, with Martinique and Guadeloupe units practicing disaster relief for a simulated major cyclone. Climate Pressure: Caribbean islands are facing harsher 2026 conditions—drought, sea-level rise, and extreme heat linked to a strong El Niño—threatening water supplies, farms, and tourism infrastructure. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Sargassum Response: SARSEA meetings in Dominica bring together regional experts to shape national sargassum plans, with field work in Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Trade & Tech Links for Martinique: Saint Lucia is pushing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique, including import-export facilitation for specific products and steps to meet testing, certification, and logistics needs. Culture & Vodou: International Vodou Day activities in New Orleans spotlight Afro-Caribbean rhythms and practitioners from across the region, including Martinique.

Rum Tourism Growth: Caribbean rum is shifting from a “nice extra” to a full brand strategy, blending heritage, hospitality, education and retail as premium experience demand stays resilient even while some alcohol channels soften. Historical Reckoning in France: French port cities are debating how to publicly confront slavery and colonialism, as national moves to repeal the “Code Noir” reopen questions about memory in France and its overseas territories. Disaster-Response Drills: France’s Armed Forces in the Antilles are running Operation Caraïbes 26 until June 4, with multinational training for a simulated major cyclone response, including Martinique and Guadeloupe RSMA units. Climate Pressure Across the Caribbean: A prolonged dry spell and “Super El Niño” conditions are driving extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall, stressing water supplies, ecosystems and tourism infrastructure. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS are convening a regional workshop to improve access to safe medicines and health technologies, focusing on procurement, supply chains and quality assurance. Sargassum Coordination: SARSEA meetings in Dominica are shaping national sargassum plans, with field missions planned for Martinique and Guadeloupe starting June 1. Martinique–Saint Lucia Trade Links: Talks are underway to expand practical export cooperation between Saint Lucia and Martinique, including import-export facilitation for targeted products. Martinique in the Wider World: A tall-ship training vessel (HMS Gladan) is among international sail arrivals tied to Sail 250 celebrations, highlighting ongoing maritime exchange.

Disaster Readiness: The Armed Forces in the Antilles are running “Operation Caribbean 26” until June 4, a multinational disaster-response drill simulating a major Category 4 cyclone hitting the Antilles, with Martinique and Guadeloupe’s RSMA units placed under FAA command and deploying teams for engineering reconnaissance, research/intelligence, route recovery, light intervention, protection, and rescue/unloading. Climate & Water Stress: Across the Caribbean, 2026 climate shifts are bringing prolonged drought, sea-level rise, and extreme heat linked to a strong El Niño pattern, with rainfall dropping below normal and freshwater supplies strained—raising pressure on aquifers, reservoirs, and agriculture. Health Tech Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a May 28–29 workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, launching a regional technical working group focused on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing. Marine Cleanup Planning: More than 60 regional professionals are meeting in Dominica under SARSEA to develop national sargassum strategic plans, with field activities in Martinique and Guadeloupe planned to start June 1. Trade & Innovation Links: Saint Lucia is pushing practical trade and investment cooperation with Martinique, including work toward import-export facilitation for 15 products and a more structured regional framework under CARIFORUM-EU.