From October 11 to 22, 2025, UK officials embarked on a significant visit to Belize and Guatemala to observe and support local initiatives aimed at forest conservation and climate-resilient livelihoods. The delegation engaged in a series of field trips and meetings, gaining firsthand insights into the challenges and successes of these efforts. In Belize, the team explored community forest management projects and cross-border conservation initiatives in the Maya Forest. Notably, they visited the Vaca Forest Reserve, where they witnessed the tangible impacts of the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF) in fostering climate resilience. The Friends for Conservation and Development highlighted the delegation’s visit, emphasizing the importance of such collaborations. In Guatemala, the officials toured the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Petén, stopping at communities like Paso Caballos, Uaxactún, and the Árbol Verde Forest Concession. Their itinerary included forest restoration, biodiversity monitoring, and water resource management projects. The BLF, a global initiative, focuses on poverty reduction, biodiversity protection, and climate change mitigation across six critical landscapes. By working closely with local authorities and communities, the fund ensures that projects are tailored to meet local needs and deliver sustainable outcomes. This visit underscores the UK’s commitment to international climate action and the importance of global partnerships in addressing environmental challenges.
分类： world
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Mexico Hands Over Chinese Drug Boss to U.S.
In a significant international law enforcement operation, Mexican authorities have extradited Zhi Dong Zhang, a Chinese national accused of orchestrating one of the largest global drug trafficking networks, to the United States. Known by his alias “Brother Wang,” Zhang faces allegations of distributing vast quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, substances that have been central to the global addiction crisis and overdose epidemic. Authorities estimate that Zhang’s network moved over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine and nearly 2,000 kilograms of fentanyl annually, while laundering more than $150 million in illicit proceeds. Zhang’s arrest in Mexico last year was followed by a dramatic escape in July, during which he used a forged passport to flee to Cuba. His attempt to enter Russia was thwarted when he was detained for illegal entry and subsequently returned to Cuba, where he was recaptured. Zhang’s extradition marks a pivotal moment in the U.S. government’s intensified efforts to combat international drug trafficking. Investigators revealed that Zhang collaborated with criminal organizations across Central America, Europe, China, and Japan, leveraging ties with powerful Mexican cartels to facilitate his operations. His extradition coincides with mounting U.S. pressure on China to curb the production of precursor chemicals used in fentanyl manufacturing. President Donald Trump has indicated that this issue will be a central topic in his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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Saint Lucia growing as an adventure tourism destination
For nearly two decades, Saint Lucia has proudly held the title of the Caribbean’s premier honeymoon destination, a distinction it has successfully defended for 17 consecutive years. Earlier this month, the island reaffirmed its status by winning the Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination award at the World Travel Awards, hosted on its shores. However, in recent years, Saint Lucia has been quietly transforming its tourism landscape, expanding beyond its romantic allure to embrace the burgeoning adventure tourism market. This strategic shift has gained momentum, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as travelers increasingly seek meaningful, nature-driven experiences after prolonged periods of confinement. Saint Lucia’s diverse natural attractions, including the world’s only drive-in volcano, the iconic twin Pitons, lush rainforest trails, and exhilarating zipline tours, have positioned the island as a top contender in adventure tourism. Since 2022, it has been recognized as the Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination by the World Travel Awards for four consecutive years. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister for Tourism, attributes this success to a deliberate national strategy aimed at diversifying the tourism sector and fostering community involvement. ‘Adventure tourism encourages visitors to engage with local communities, whether through hiking, bird watching, or climbing the Pitons,’ Hilaire explained. ‘This approach ensures we avoid over-reliance on a single sector and offer a broader range of experiences.’ The government’s commitment to this vision includes upcoming projects such as underwater sculpture parks, scenic lay-bys in coastal communities like Canaries, and the enhancement of other nature-based attractions. This shift not only enriches the visitor experience but also ensures that economic benefits extend beyond resorts, fostering community growth and sustainability.
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US Guided-Missile Destroyer to Dock in Port of Spain
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has announced that the USS Gravely, a United States Navy guided-missile destroyer, will dock in Port of Spain for a five-day visit starting October 26, 2025. The vessel, carrying around 300 sailors, will engage in joint training exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF). The operations will focus on infantry tactics, maintenance protocols, and advanced medical capabilities, facilitated by members of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit. This visit highlights the US commitment to bolstering regional security and defense cooperation in the Caribbean. To accommodate the warship, several berths at the port will be temporarily closed, with shipping operators advised to adjust their schedules. The deployment aligns with heightened US security activities in the region, including recent security alerts issued to US citizens in Trinidad and Tobago. Despite geopolitical tensions, Trinidad and Tobago has expressed support for US-led initiatives to combat transnational crimes such as narcotics and human trafficking.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Sangster International Airport to close at noon Sunday
In response to the impending Hurricane Melissa, MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ), the operator of Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has announced strategic adjustments to flight operations. The airport will remain open until 12:00 PM on Sunday, weather permitting, to accommodate scheduled flights. Thereafter, it will temporarily close to ensure the safety of passengers and staff during the storm. MBJ has advised that some airlines are modifying their schedules to include earlier or additional flights to minimize disruptions. Passengers are encouraged to contact their airlines directly for updates on flight changes and to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport. Detailed airline information is available on the MBJ website (www.mbjairport.com) under the International Airlines section. Following the hurricane, a thorough assessment will be conducted to determine when it is safe to resume operations. MBJ emphasized that passenger and staff safety is their top priority and that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure a swift and safe reopening. Updates on the impact of Hurricane Melissa on airport operations will be communicated through MBJ’s official website and social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
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PM declares Jamaica a threatened area
In response to the impending threat of Tropical Storm Melissa, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has declared the entire island a ‘threatened area.’ This decisive action, enacted under Section 26(2) of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), empowers the government to implement urgent protective measures to safeguard lives, property, and critical infrastructure. The declaration follows a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch as Melissa lingers off Jamaica’s southeastern coast. The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to public safety, urging citizens to take the threat seriously and prepare accordingly.
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Caribbean Sea’s new compact for survival: Reflections from COP18
October 24 marks United Nations Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN under the theme ‘The Future We Want: The UN We Need: Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism.’ This year’s celebration holds particular significance for the Caribbean, following the historic Eighteenth Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP18) to the Cartagena Convention, held in Kingston, Jamaica, from October 13-16. The event brought together over 80 delegates from 20 nations and 15 observer groups, including youth representatives, to address the pressing challenges facing the Caribbean Sea. The central message was unequivocal: the health of the Caribbean Sea is intrinsically linked to the livelihood and identity of its people, making united action not just desirable but essential. COP18 was groundbreaking in its integrated approach, combining discussions on the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) protocol and the Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution protocol into a single, cohesive agenda. This innovative structure enabled delegates to tackle cross-cutting issues such as pollution control, species protection, and coral reef restoration in a unified framework. The outcomes of COP18 are transformative, aligning with the Regional Seas Strategic Direction (RSSD) for 2026-2029, which envisions healthy, productive marine ecosystems that support a sustainable ocean economy and combat biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. Key decisions included the approval of an action plan to address sargassum inundation and the development of conservation management plans for species like the silky shark and oceanic whitetip shark. Additionally, the meeting operationalized a workplan and budget for 2026-2027, focusing on three core goals: securing biologically diverse and climate-resilient ecosystems, enhancing knowledge management and science-policy dialogue, and elevating the global profile of the regional seas program. The event also strengthened regional partnerships, exemplified by collaborations with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on oil-spill response and the Caribbean Wildlife Enforcement Network. However, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Reports presented at COP18 revealed that the Caribbean’s coral reefs, vital to tourism and fisheries, are under severe threat from heat stress, disease outbreaks, and mass bleaching events driven by rising ocean temperatures and acidification. The decisions made in Kingston mark a pivotal shift from passive defense to active restoration, emphasizing the need for stronger national coastal frameworks and species management plans. As the Caribbean commemorates UN Day, the spirit of COP18 serves as a beacon for sustained effort and stronger partnerships. The Caribbean Sea is not merely a body of water; it is the lifeblood of the region. Through the Cartagena Convention, the Caribbean has reaffirmed its shared duty to protect, restore, and sustain this precious resource for future generations.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Melissa becomes Category 3 hurricane
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa has escalated to a Category 3 storm, wreaking havoc across the Caribbean and posing a severe threat to Jamaica and the island of Hispaniola. Forecasters warn of further intensification as the storm moves at a perilously slow pace, heightening concerns over prolonged devastation. The hurricane, with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour, has already claimed three lives in Haiti due to heavy rains and landslides triggered by its outer bands. In the Dominican Republic, a 79-year-old man was found dead after being swept away by floodwaters, while a 13-year-old boy remains missing. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued dire warnings of ‘life-threatening and catastrophic’ flooding and landslides in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola. Rapid intensification is expected to continue, potentially elevating Melissa to a major hurricane by Sunday. As of Saturday evening, the storm was positioned 125 miles southeast of Kingston and 280 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, moving at a sluggish three miles per hour. The NHC predicts total rainfall of 15 to 30 inches in affected regions, with isolated areas receiving up to 40 inches. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged residents in flood-prone areas to prepare for evacuation, emphasizing the likelihood of recurring flooding. Melissa marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in early July 2024, which claimed four lives in Jamaica. The slow-moving nature of Melissa raises fears of prolonged destruction, with the storm expected to linger over Jamaica and Hispaniola for multiple days before potentially threatening eastern Cuba.
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#EyeOnMelissa: All JDF personnel in Haiti accounted for
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has confirmed that all its personnel deployed in Haiti are safe and in good spirits despite the challenges posed by Tropical Storm Melissa. The storm has unleashed torrential rains over Haiti, triggering devastating floods and landslides that have tragically claimed three lives. Brigadier O’Neil Bogle provided this update during a special press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, October 24. As Jamaica braces for the storm’s impact, Bogle emphasized that comprehensive measures have been implemented to ensure the safety and security of JDF’s assets. Offshore patrol vessels have been strategically relocated out of the storm’s path, while inland patrol vessels have been secured along the coastlines. Additionally, the JDF has assessed its air assets, with plans to deploy a maritime patrol aircraft overseas and keep the BELL 429 helicopter on standby for post-hurricane operations. Bogle further detailed that all remaining assets have been safely stored in JDF hangars across various bases, and robust plans are in place to protect ground assets across defense estates.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Norman Manley International Airport to cease operations at 8:00 this evening – Vaz
The Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, Jamaica, is set to close at 8:00 PM on Saturday or upon the arrival of the last scheduled flight, as the country braces for Tropical Storm Melissa. The storm is advancing toward Jamaica’s southern coast, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. Transport Minister Daryl Vaz announced the decision during a media briefing at Jamaica House, emphasizing the need to ensure safety while accommodating travelers. Initially, both NMIA and Sangster’s International Airport in Montego Bay were expected to remain operational for scheduled flights. However, the plan was revised following consultations with the Airports Authority of Jamaica. Vaz stated that the closure would occur at 8:00 PM or after the last arriving flight, whichever comes later. Delayed flights will still be accommodated to facilitate travel. Vaz urged travelers to adjust their plans and leave Jamaica today if possible. A meeting is scheduled for 2:00 PM to determine the closure time for Sangster International Airport, with updates to be communicated afterward. The minister highlighted the importance of these measures for both local residents and the tourism industry. Hotels are coordinating with airlines to increase flight capacities and evacuate vacationers before the storm intensifies.