For decades, the Caribbean has been burdened by the metaphor of being ‘somebody’s backyard,’ a phrase often used by policymakers, diplomats, and even regional leaders. This imagery has perpetuated a narrative of passivity and subordination, where the sovereignty of small nations is overshadowed by the interests of global powers. However, as the geopolitical landscape shifts with the United States, China, and Europe vying for influence, the Caribbean is increasingly asserting its independence and strategic value. Recent developments, such as the US request to install military radar in Grenada, Guyana’s oil-driven economic boom, and China’s infrastructure investments, highlight the region’s growing geostrategic importance. Yet, the implications of this renewed attention are deeply felt in the daily lives of Caribbean citizens, from democratic struggles to economic challenges. The region’s leaders and grassroots movements are redefining the terms of engagement with external powers, negotiating with newfound confidence. The legacy of Maurice Bishop, Grenada’s former Prime Minister, who famously declared, ‘we are in nobody’s backyard,’ serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for sovereignty and regional unity. The Caribbean’s history of resistance to imperial dominance, from the Monroe Doctrine to Cold War interventions, underscores its resilience and determination to chart its own course. Today, the region is navigating a complex web of global interests, from China’s Belt and Road Initiative to European colonial reparations debates, while addressing internal vulnerabilities such as public finances and political polarization. The Caribbean’s strength lies in its ability to build flexible coalitions, balancing relationships with competing powers while prioritizing the interests of its people, environment, and culture. As the 21st-century ‘Great Game’ unfolds over cyberinfrastructure, climate adaptation, and energy, the Caribbean’s strategic importance will only grow. The challenge is to remain vigilant against the transactional temptations of big-power deals while building robust institutions and policies that safeguard the region’s autonomy. The Caribbean is not and has never truly been anyone’s backyard. Its societies are mosaics of resilience, creativity, and irrepressible agency, determined to define their own destinies.
分类： world
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Argentina deepens agricultural cooperation with Caribbean at CWA 2025
Argentina has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering agricultural collaboration and enhancing regional food security during its participation in the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2025, held in St Kitts and Nevis. As a special guest of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), the Argentine delegation expressed its eagerness to forge stronger partnerships with Caribbean nations. The delegation highlighted potential areas of cooperation, including modernizing the dairy industry, improving plant health systems, optimizing soil and water management, and integrating digital technologies into agriculture.
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Women and children bearing the brunt of Haiti’s ongoing crisis, says WFP
The ongoing crisis in Haiti continues to disproportionately affect women and children, according to a recent report by the World Food Programme (WFP). The Caribbean nation, already the poorest in the region, is grappling with escalating violence, economic collapse, and one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Since armed gangs took control of key areas, Haiti has seen a dramatic surge in food insecurity, displacement, and malnutrition. The WFP revealed that 5.7 million Haitians—half the population—are food insecure, with over 2 million facing emergency levels of hunger. The number of internally displaced persons has skyrocketed to 1.3 million, more than triple the figure from August 2023. Nearly 277,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition, with 125,000 in severe condition. Overcrowded shelters and unsanitary conditions exacerbate the crisis, particularly for young children. Despite food assistance efforts reducing emergency-level hunger by 200,000 since April 2025, the situation remains dire. Consumer prices for essential food items are 30-77% higher than the regional average, and farmers struggle to sell produce due to road blockages. The WFP urgently requires over $139 million in the next year to aid Haiti’s most vulnerable families.
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US Passport Power Falls to Historic Low
For the first time in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index, the United States has fallen out of the Top 10 most powerful passports, dropping to 12th place. This marks a significant decline from its No. 1 position in 2014. The US passport now offers visa-free access to only 180 out of 227 global destinations, tying with Malaysia. Meanwhile, Asian nations dominate the rankings, with Singapore (193 destinations), South Korea (190), and Japan (189) securing the top three spots. The index, powered by data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), highlights the shifting dynamics of global mobility and soft power. The US’s decline has been driven by a series of access changes, including the loss of visa-free entry to Brazil, exclusion from China’s expanding visa-free list, and adjustments by Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Somalia, and Vietnam. Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, notes that these changes reflect a broader trend: nations embracing openness are surging ahead, while those relying on past privilege are being left behind. Similarly, the UK passport has slipped to its lowest-ever position, falling to 8th place. The US’s decline is further exacerbated by its low ranking on the Henley Openness Index, which measures visa reciprocity. The US allows only 46 nationalities visa-free entry, placing it 77th globally. This disparity, second only to Australia, underscores the widening gap between the travel freedom Americans enjoy and the openness they offer. Annie Pforzheimer of the Center for Strategic and International Studies attributes this decline to America’s inward-looking policies, particularly under the Trump administration, which has imposed stringent visa restrictions on numerous nations. In contrast, China has made significant gains, climbing from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025, with visa-free access to 76 countries. This strategic openness has bolstered China’s global influence and cemented its role as a mobility powerhouse. The decline in US passport power has fueled a surge in demand for alternative citizenship options, with Americans leading global applications for investment migration programs. As geopolitical volatility increases, dual citizenship is becoming the new American dream, reflecting a fundamental shift in global mobility dynamics.
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Fabio Jorge and Gaspar Polanco to surrender to U.S. authorities
Two prominent Dominican figures, Fabio Jorge and Gaspar Antonio Polanco, accused of orchestrating cocaine trafficking operations into the United States, are reportedly preparing to surrender to U.S. authorities in the near future. Polanco is expected to turn himself in this Thursday, while Jorge, currently residing in the Dominican Republic, may also be extradited shortly. Both men face federal charges for allegedly conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the U.S., with Jorge accused of hiding drug shipments within exports from free trade zones. Jorge, who previously served as an advisor to the Dominican Executive Branch on free trade zones until his dismissal in May 2025, now holds the position of treasurer for the Águilas Cibaeñas baseball team. Polanco, a former bodyguard for ex-president Hipólito Mejía and an ex-employee of the National District Mayor’s Office, faces identical charges. Under U.S. federal law, both defendants could receive mandatory minimum sentences of ten years to life imprisonment, alongside fines potentially reaching up to ten million dollars.
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Hamas draagt 20 Israëlische krijgsgevangenen over aan Israël
In a significant development, Hamas has handed over the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages to the International Red Cross Committee on Monday, marking the end of their two-year captivity in Gaza. This transfer is part of a broader ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and other mediators. Under the terms of the deal, Israel agreed to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including 250 individuals sentenced to death and over 1,700 detainees from Gaza. Simultaneously, the bodies of four deceased hostages were transferred to Israeli authorities through the Red Cross, with Hamas indicating its readiness to hand over more remains. The freed hostages underwent medical examinations before being reunited with their families, an event met with profound emotion and relief across Israel. This agreement represents a critical step in easing tensions between the two sides, though challenges remain in achieving long-term peace.
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Suriname presenteert groene ontwikkelingsstrategie op top in Rome
Suriname took center stage at the 12th bi-regional dialogue between Italy and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, held recently in Rome. The event, attended by over 35 nations, saw Suriname present its national vision for sustainable development and energy security. Leading the Surinamese delegation was Ambassador Miriam Mac Intosh, Director of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Cooperation. In her address, Mac Intosh emphasized that energy security and safety are strategic priorities for the region. She stated, ‘Our primary objective must be to achieve this collectively,’ while also announcing that Suriname is finalizing its Third Nationally Determined Contribution. ‘This is not merely a document of goals but a declaration of our national identity—as a carbon-negative nation and a proponent of a just model for climate action.’ Suriname further introduced its Green Development Strategy as a national roadmap for a resilient, sustainable economy. The strategy integrates the utilization of new offshore energy resources with a swift transition to a carbon-free domestic economy, leveraging revenues from oil and gas to green the energy system. The participating countries also discussed cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, with Italy pledging to share its expertise in this area. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a 21-point Declaration, reaffirming the nations’ mutual friendship, collaboration, and shared commitment to sustainable development.
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Lorenzo poses no threat to Antigua and the Caribbean
Tropical Storm Lorenzo remains disorganized as it moves northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest update on Monday evening. As of 5 p.m. AST, the storm’s center was positioned near latitude 15.2 N, longitude 41.7 W, approximately 1,180 miles (1,895 kilometers) west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Lorenzo is currently generating maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), with higher gusts, and is advancing northwest at a speed of 12 mph (19 km/h).
Forecasters predict that Lorenzo will maintain its northwest trajectory through Tuesday, followed by a northward turn on Tuesday night and a northeastward shift by Wednesday. While no significant change in strength is anticipated in the immediate future, gradual intensification could occur later in the week. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 160 miles (260 kilometers) from the center, with a minimum central pressure of 1002 millibars (29.59 inches).
At present, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, and the storm poses no immediate threat to land. Meteorologists continue to monitor Lorenzo’s development closely, providing updates as the situation evolves.
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US issues warning to Caribbean countries ahead of IMO vote on net-zero shipping framework
The United States has issued a stern warning to countries, including those in the Caribbean, regarding an upcoming vote on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net-Zero Shipping Framework (NZF). The NZF, aimed at reducing emissions in the maritime sector, is set for adoption during the Marine Environmental Protection Committee meeting in October 2025. The US has labeled the framework as a ‘European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations’ and has vowed to impose economic penalties on nations that support it. A joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Secretary of Transportation Sean P Duffy emphasized the US’s commitment to protecting its economic interests and rejecting any measures that could increase costs for American citizens, energy providers, and shipping companies. The NZF, approved in April 2025, seeks to align international shipping emissions with the 2050 net-zero target through a Global Fuel Standard, a carbon price mechanism, and a credit trading system. The US argues that the framework could lead to a 10% increase in global shipping costs and impose an unsanctioned global carbon tax. The US is considering actions against countries that support the NZF, which it views as a threat to global economic stability.
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IOM urges global investment in disaster resilience after record 46 million displaced
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has issued a stark warning, calling for increased global investment in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building. The agency highlights that escalating climate impacts are causing unprecedented levels of displacement worldwide. In a recent press release, IOM pointed to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl in Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines, as a poignant example of the urgent need for preemptive resilience investments.