Caribbean Roundup: Cuba, Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean

Dr Mohammad Rafik Nagdee, executive director of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), said the Caribbean’s sustainable energy transition requires strong institutions, strategic investments, effective partnerships, and decisive leadership, not ambition alone.

Speaking at the launch of the ASERT 2030 Regional Capacity Strengthening programme, he urged countries to use the US$5.29 million initiative to build a more resilient, energy-secure, and prosperous region.

Funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and CCREEE, the programme aims to strengthen institutions, technical expertise, and investment to accelerate renewable energy adoption, which currently makes up just 12% of the Caribbean’s energy mix.

Nagdee stressed that the transition is about improving energy security, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, boosting economic growth and jobs, and helping Caribbean nations better withstand climate change.

Cuba

Cuba has introduced sweeping economic reforms aimed at easing its worsening humanitarian crisis by relaxing long-standing restrictions on private businesses.

The changes allow private vendors to import and sell certain goods and medicines, expand opportunities for foreign investment in the oil sector, permit private elderly care facilities, and make it easier to import electric vehicles.

The reforms, approved by parliament last month, remove 46 restrictions and relax 35 others as the government seeks to address severe shortages of medicine, food and energy.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the country “simply cannot continue on its current course,”, while officials noted that renewable private enterprise will play a greater role in the economy.

Despite the changes, key sectors such as tobacco production, internet services, and the media will remain under state control.

The reforms come as Cuba continues to struggle with economic hardship worsened by a U.S. oil blockade, with many citizens hoping the measures will improve access to essential goods, strengthen the economy and ease daily living conditions.

The new regulations were presented by Lázara Mercedes López Acea, president of the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors who said these latest reforms “truly allow and facilitate the participation of non-state economic actors in the country’s economy.”

Guyana

A U.S. extradition case against Guyana’s main opposition leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, will move forward after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) dismissed their legal challenge last week.

Both men are wanted in the United States on charges of gold smuggling and money laundering, allegations they have denied.

The Mohameds had argued before the CCJ that some of the offences listed in the U.S. extradition request were not extraditable under the law.

However, the court ruled against them, allowing the extradition proceedings to resume, although no date has yet been set.

Following the ruling, Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood Party and Guyana’s opposition leader since January, said he respected the court’s decision and vowed to continue fighting the case.

Nazar Mohamed also said their legal team was reviewing the court’s 256-page judgment and insisted that “all is not lost.”

The father and son have been out on bond since their arrest last year.

US authorities accuse them of smuggling more than 10,000 kilograms of gold from Guyana into the United States and evading over US$50 million in taxes.

The Mohameds, once among Guyana’s largest gold exporters, were also sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury as Guyana continues to enjoy rapid economic growth driven by its offshore oil industry.

Jamaica

The Jamaican government has welcomed the decision by the Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) to issue the country’s first casino operator’s licence, describing it as a major milestone in Jamaica’s economic development.

Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams said the approval reflects Jamaica’s progress in building a modern economy supported by strong institutions, transparent regulation and sound financial governance.

She stressed that casino gaming will operate under strict oversight by the CGC and will be subject to the same anti-money laundering and beneficial ownership rules that apply across the financial sector.

The licence was granted to Adamas Grand Casino Ltd, marking the formal launch of Jamaica’s regulated casino gaming industry.

The CGC said the development opens a new avenue for economic growth and represents an estimated US$800 million investment in the country’s tourism sector.

The project is expected to create significant employment, boost local procurement, and generate long-term economic benefits.

The casino will operate at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort under a management agreement with Spanish gaming and hospitality company Grupo Orenes, which has casino operations in Spain, Mexico, and Andorra.

Williams said the move demonstrates Jamaica’s readiness to attract world-class investment and expects further growth in the sector as regulations evolve.

CGC chairman Ryan Reid said the project will strengthen tourism while ensuring the industry develops responsibly and delivers lasting national benefits.

St Vincent and the Grenadines

St Vincent and the Grenadines has joined other Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states in providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela following the earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.

The regional effort included contributions from Guyana, Grenada, Belize, The Bahamas, Jamaica and St Kitts and Nevis, reflecting Caricom’s commitment to solidarity and mutual support during times of crisis.

Prime Minister Godwin Friday said St Vincent understands the devastating effects of natural disasters from its own experiences and recognises the importance of helping neighbours in need.

He expressed hope that the assistance would bring comfort to affected families and support communities as they recover and rebuild.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble highlighted that the initiative demonstrates the strength of regional cooperation and collective action among Caribbean nations.

He said countries must stand together when others face hardship, adding that St Vincent was pleased to contribute to the humanitarian mission.

The aid shipment was received by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil and Vice Minister for the Caribbean Raúl Li Causi.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez thanked the participating Caricom nations for their support and asked that her appreciation be conveyed to Prime Minister Friday and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Gil also praised Caricom as a dependable partner whose solidarity strengthens regional ties.