Celebrity Cruises, a prominent Miami-based cruise line under the Royal Caribbean Group, has announced the suspension of its stops at Labadee, Haiti, through 2026. This decision stems from escalating safety concerns in the region, prompting the company to revise 11 of its itineraries, primarily affecting voyages aboard the Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Beyond. In lieu of Labadee, the cruise line will now redirect its ships to alternative destinations, including the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. This move mirrors a similar announcement by Royal Caribbean in September 2025, which also canceled all Labadee visits until at least spring 2026. Haiti has been under a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory since March 2024, issued by the U.S. State Department due to persistent political instability, rampant crime, kidnapping threats, and terrorist activities. The advisory highlights the presence of gangs designated as terrorist organizations, further exacerbating the nation’s security crisis. The suspension of cruise visits to Labadee underscores the ongoing challenges facing Haiti’s tourism industry and its broader socio-political landscape.
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New TRAE Control Center enhances safety for nearly 1.9 million students
The Dominican Republic has introduced a cutting-edge Georeferenced Control and Monitoring Center for its National Student Transportation System (TRAE), marking a significant leap in public school transportation safety and efficiency. This state-of-the-art platform will oversee 1,871 buses in real time, ensuring the safe transit of nearly 1.9 million students across the country. The initiative is expected to slash school transportation operating costs by 25%, while also enhancing transparency and reliability. Education Minister Luis Miguel De Camps emphasized President Luis Abinader’s dedication to modernizing the education sector, stating, ‘Behind every monitored route there is a calm mother, a confident father, a waiting teacher, and a State that supports and watches over its children.’ The system leverages preventive artificial intelligence to identify potential issues such as driver fatigue, unauthorized stops, or irregularities during trips. Each bus is being transformed into a ‘smart bus,’ equipped with GPS-enabled cameras, cybersecurity systems, and internet connectivity. Parents can now track buses in real time, receive boarding alerts, and view estimated arrival times, while drivers and managers gain access to tools for optimizing routes, monitoring vehicle status, and analyzing real-time operational data.
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Insecurity : 1.4 million people displaced fleeing violence
Haiti is grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as violence and instability have forced over 1.4 million people to flee their homes, marking the highest displacement figure ever recorded in the country. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this represents a staggering 36% increase since late 2024. Grégoire Goodstein, IOM Haiti Chief of Mission, emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for sustained international support to address the crisis and restore dignity to affected populations. He highlighted the resilience of Haitian communities, which are hosting approximately 85% of displaced individuals despite severe resource constraints. The crisis has extended beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, with 64% of new displacements occurring in regions like Centre and Artibonite. Displacement sites are severely overcrowded, lacking basic services, while spontaneous sites have surged by 68% since December 2024. Women and children, comprising over half of the displaced, are disproportionately affected, with many families resorting to sending children to safer areas. Additionally, the return of over 250,000 Haitians expelled from the Dominican Republic since January 2025 has exacerbated the situation along the border. In response, IOM has expanded its operations, providing emergency shelter, clean water, health services, and psychosocial support to vulnerable families. The organization has also appealed for increased international funding, warning that without immediate action, the suffering of displaced Haitians will only intensify.
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FLASH : Sunrise Airways adds 2 Airbus A320s to its aircraft fleet
Sunrise Airways, a privately owned Haitian airline, is set to bolster its fleet with the addition of two Airbus A320 aircraft. This expansion comes as part of a comprehensive leasing agreement with GlobalX, which includes not only the aircraft but also crew, maintenance, and insurance services. The new A320s, each configured with 179 seats, will commence operations in November 2025, increasing the airline’s total fleet size to 14 aircraft. Gary Stone, CEO of Sunrise Airways, emphasized the strategic importance of this move, stating, ‘These two Airbus A320s will be exclusively dedicated to our operations, significantly enhancing passenger experience and connectivity across the Caribbean region.’ Initially, the aircraft will be deployed to strengthen existing routes, particularly between Florida and Cap-Haitien. However, the airline has ambitious plans to utilize these A320s for expanding its network to new destinations, including Fort Lauderdale, New York, and other key markets in the Americas. Sunrise Airways currently operates under three separate Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Eastern Caribbean. By the end of 2025, the airline aims to operate a total of 18 aircraft across its network, further solidifying its presence in the region.
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Suriname shelves oil royalty payout
The newly elected Surinamese government, under President Jennifer Geerlings Simons, has decided to suspend a proposed initiative to distribute oil royalties of US$750 plus interest to all citizens. This announcement was made by Andrew Baasaron, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship, and Technological Innovation, during a panel discussion at the International Business Conference (IBC) 2025. Baasaron cited insufficient financial resources as the primary reason for halting the plan, contrasting Suriname’s economic situation with that of Guyana, which successfully distributed GY$100,000 (approximately US$458) to over 600,000 adults last year. The previous administration, led by Chandrikapersad Santokhi, had tied the royalty payout to projected earnings from the Gran Morgu offshore project, expected to produce 220,000 barrels of oil by 2028. TotalEnergies, a France-based energy giant, is investing US$10.5 billion in the project. Instead of direct payouts, the new government plans to channel funds into sustainable investments in companies, new technologies, and workforce development. Baasaron emphasized the need for Suriname to reduce its reliance on government support and focus on enhancing productivity and economic growth.
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Lawsuit Looms as Lands Department Faces Backlash Over Property Mix-Up
A Belizean woman from Independence Village, Sherene Garbutt, is preparing to take legal action against the Lands Department after discovering that a 22-acre parcel of land she was in the process of acquiring was sold to another party. Garbutt had obtained official permission to survey the land in May 2022, completed the survey in August 2022, and applied for a lease, only to learn earlier this year that the land had been sold to someone else. She claims that the survey she paid for was used to issue the title to the new owner. The Ministry of Natural Resources offered Garbutt $6,500 to cover her survey costs in exchange for signing an agreement to prevent future lawsuits, but she refused, demanding either the original land or a comparable parcel in the same area. Garbutt asserts that this incident represents a blatant breach of due process and undermines her legitimate expectations. The Lands Department has acknowledged the case but maintains that completing a survey and applying for a lease does not guarantee ownership. Garbutt’s legal battle highlights systemic issues in land administration and raises concerns about transparency and fairness in property transactions.
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Illegal Land Clearing Suspected in Vaca Reserve
Concerns over potential illegal land clearing within Belize’s Vaca Forest Reserve have surfaced, as local farmers from the Cayo District reported suspicious activities to News Five. The farmers expressed alarm over the presence of heavy machinery in the area, suspecting unauthorized deforestation. Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), a prominent environmental organization, confirmed receiving similar reports. Executive Director Rafael Manzanero stated that the complaints have been forwarded to the Belize Forest Department for investigation. While Manzanero could not confirm if the reports were identical, he emphasized the need for verification to determine whether the clearing occurred on private lands or within the protected reserve. The Forest Department is expected to conduct a site visit to assess the situation. Manzanero clarified that FCD does not directly investigate such claims, as the Forest Department is better equipped to cross-reference maps and pinpoint locations. This incident raises broader questions about the enforcement of environmental protections in Belize, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like the Vaca Forest Reserve.
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Omar Fernández calls for income tax relief for salaries under RD$52,000
In a compelling appeal to the Dominican government, Senator Omar Fernández, representing the National District, has called for an urgent revision of the income tax exemption threshold. On Wednesday, Fernández emphasized the need to raise the tax-free salary limit to RD$52,000, aligning with the Dominican Tax Code. His plea comes in response to the 2026 General State Budget proposal, which maintains the current threshold of RD$34,685—unchanged for six consecutive years despite rising inflation. Fernández criticized this stagnation, warning that it severely impacts over 300,000 workers, eroding their purchasing power. He highlighted that the failure to adjust the threshold results in a monthly loss of RD$17,244 for low- and middle-income earners. ‘This is money being directly taken from the pockets of Dominicans who need it most,’ he asserted in a social media video. The senator further underscored the economic strain by pointing out that the average cost of a basic food basket has surged to RD$46,716. He argued that maintaining the outdated tax threshold effectively deprives workers of a year’s worth of essential goods. Fernández urged the Executive Branch to adhere to the law and revise the exempt salary scale to reflect accumulated inflation. ‘My request is straightforward,’ he concluded. ‘The government must follow the law and provide Dominican families with much-needed economic relief.’
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Partnership Strengthens Vaca Forest Protection
The Vaca Forest Reserve has become a focal point for sustainable agricultural practices, thanks to the collaborative efforts between local farmers and Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD). Known as the ‘Friends of Vaca,’ these certified farmers have embraced their role as stewards, dedicated to preserving the ecological integrity and future of the reserve. While illegal farming activities persist, FCD’s Executive Director, Rafael Manzanero, highlights the significant progress made through years of investment. This initiative has empowered numerous farmers to adopt sustainable practices, ensuring the protection of this vital natural area. Manzanero emphasized the success of the stewardship program, which has fostered a heightened sense of responsibility among the local community. Despite recent challenges, such as the inclusion of Belize on the U.S. list of major drug transit countries, the commitment to conservation remains unwavering. The ongoing partnership between FCD and the ‘Friends of Vaca’ serves as a model for community-driven environmental protection.
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Corozal Residents Fix Roads After Years of Neglect
In a remarkable display of community resilience, residents of Corozal’s Little Belize, Viva Esperanza, and Chunox have banded together to address years of neglected road infrastructure. Frustrated by the lack of government action, locals have pooled resources—money, machinery, and manpower—to repair roads that have long been in disrepair. While Area Representative Florencio Marin Jr. and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development initiated some improvements earlier this year, villagers argue these efforts fell far short of what was needed. The community is now urging the government to prioritize upgrades along the San Estevan to Chunox route. Franz Olfert, a resident, shared with News Five that the dire state of the roads left them with no choice but to act independently. Neighbors contributed funds, hired equipment, and began repairs, driven by a shared goal of ensuring safer and more accessible travel for all. Despite their efforts, Olfert emphasized that the funds raised—$5,000 from Little Belize and $1,000 from Chunox—are insufficient for comprehensive repairs. He hopes media attention will spur government intervention to address the critical condition of the roads.