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Check Out Our New Blog Posts!
Dear Friends of the Canada-Caribbean Institute:
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Here are some of the news stories and announcements that we have been following this week.
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If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, please consider forwarding it to those in your networks who might also find it interesting... and tell them to subscribe.
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If you have a story, or ideas for relevant content, that you think we should look at, please do not hesitate to get in touch,
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CDB Annual News Conference 2026
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CDB’s Annual News Conference took place on March 3, 2026 at the Frank Collymore Hall, Central Bank of Barbados, Spry Street, Bridgetown, St. Michael. The event set out the CDB plans for supporting development in the Caribbean. Speakers Mr. Daniel M. Best, President Mr. Jason Cotton, Deputy Director (Ag.), Economics Department Mr. L. O'Reilly Lewis, Director of Projects Ms. Valerie Isaac, Division Chief, Environmental …
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Afreximbank Raises Caricom Financing Cap to $5 Billion to Accelerate Regional Transformation
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Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, 02 March 2026: Pan African Multilateral Bank, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has announced a major expansion of its engagement with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), increasing its regional financing limit from US$3 billion over the next four years. The enhanced commitment builds on more than $750 million already disbursed across the region and a robust pipeline …
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Caribbean Trade and Development News Digest - February 22-28, 2026
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The latest trade news, compiled by CCI collaborator Alicia Nicholls. http://caribbeantradelaw.com/2026/03/02/caribbean-trade-development-news-digest-february-22-28-2026/
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The Giller Mantella Scholarship Continues to Address Canadian Literature’s Access Gap
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January 19, 2026 (Toronto, ON) – The Mantella Corporation and the Giller Foundation are addressing a critical gap in Canadian literature with the return of the Giller Mantella Scholarship for a third consecutive year, representing a $90,000 investment. While racialized people make up over 26% of the population, BIPOC authors remain significantly underrepresented in Canadian publishing, literary prizes, and academic faculty positions. Research shows …
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The Caribbean must not Become a Theatre of Great Power Politics
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February 26, 2026 By W. Andy Knight As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders in St. Kitts this week, the region faces a moment of quiet but profound strategic consequence. Beneath the diplomatic courtesies and familiar rhetoric about partnership lies a deeper question: What place does the Caribbean occupy in an increasingly unstable global …
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CARICOM/U.S. Joint Statement
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February 27, 2026 The Heads of State and Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community met on 25 February with the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Marco Rubio. The engagement was a highly constructive one with a frank conversation regarding the essential interests of all parties. Given the strong historical, diplomatic, familial and economic ties …
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CARICOM to send relief to Cuba
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February 28th, 2026 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders agreed to send much-needed assistance to Cuba but said it would take a few weeks before the regional bloc decides exactly what would be rushed to the communist-ruled island where the humanitarian crisis has worsened as a result of stiffer United States (US) sanctions. “With respect to Cuba and humanitarian efforts, we are …
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US hails progress on Haiti's anti-gang force, but elections face steep hurdles
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February 28, 2026 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that progress had been made in assembling an international anti-gang force for Haiti, raising hopes that improved security could allow long-delayed elections to go ahead this year. Yet with armed groups controlling much of the capital, the prospect of a credible vote remains uncertain. Speaking on the sidelines …
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CARICOM Leaders Strengthen Reparations Agenda
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February 27, 2026 At the closing media conference of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, Chair of CARICOM and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance M. Drew, reaffirmed the Region’s commitment to reparatory justice. Prime Minister Drew announced that Heads of Government have tasked the Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on …
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COMMUNIQUE – Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM |24 -27 February 2026
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The Communique of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM is reproduced here. Some of the topics discussed at the meeting included: Renewal of CARICOM/US Cooperation Framework Haiti Support to Cuba Reparations Agenda COMMUNIQUE The Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, from …
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Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – Feb 15-21, 2026
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Caribbean Trade Law and Development's latest digest. http://caribbeantradelaw.com/2026/02/22/caribbean-trade-development-news-digest-feb-15-21-2026/
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U of T and The UWI: Joint Call for Proposals
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The University of Toronto (U of T) and its Black Research Network, and the University of the West Indies (UWI) are supporting collaborative research initiatives through a Joint Call for Proposals. U of T and The UWI are committed to the positive impact that universities can have through international partnerships and, through this Call, are supporting new or existing research …
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Rubio engagement with CARICOM
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Selected from this mornings media reporting... US ready to partner with CARICOM energy producers, sees role for Venezuela February 26, 2026 Wednesday told Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders that the American government was ready to work with Caribbean energy producing nations to help them reap the benefits of those resources, and he also envisaged a future role for Venezuela in supplying …
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U.S. Secretary of State Rubio meets with CARICOM Heads of Gov't
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The U.S. State Department has posted a summary of his meetings with the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting. They have also posted a number of documents of interest to those following developments in the region. February 25, 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Saint Kitts and Nevis on February 25 to participate in the 50th Regular Meeting of the …
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Rocksteady... and Leroy Sibbles
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Leroy Sibbles (born January 29, 1949, in Kingston, Jamaica) is a celebrated reggae singer, bassist, and producer best known as the lead vocalist of the legendary trio The Heptones, one of the defining groups of the rocksteady era. His early work at Studio One—as a singer, arranger, and prolific session bassist—helped shape the sound of modern reggae, with his bass …
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CUBA PIVOT
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Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has signalled a pivot in Jamaica’s diplomatic stance toward Cuba, calling for a “principled realism” that balances traditional regional solidarity with a demand for democratic reform and open-market transitions. Holness also warned that the growing humanitarian crisis in the Spanish-speaking nation could develop into a regional problem, pointing to a possible immigration threat. “Humanitarian suffering …
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Canada provides assistance to the people of Cuba
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February 25, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada Cuba is facing rapidly worsening conditions driven by severe fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts and growing barriers to accessing food and health care. The energy crisis, further compounded by last year’s challenges, including Hurricane Melissa, has increased the vulnerability of millions of people. Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign …
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Caribbean leaders gather for key summit to feature Rubio as US policy impacts region
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By BERT WILKINSON and DÁNICA COTO February 24, 2026 GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Caribbean leaders met Tuesday in St. Kitts and Nevis to debate pressing issues including the region’s relationship with the U.S. government, which has continued to strike suspected drug boats in the area, killing local fishermen. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Caribbean leaders on Wednesday as part of …
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Kamla breaks with Caricom on foreign, security policy
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February 25, 2026 Anna Ramdass PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday launched an onslaught against Caricom leaders, saying while Trinidad and Tobago remained 'vested' in the regional bloc, this country would no longer bind itself to the region's political ideologies, foreign policy positions or security frameworks. Instead, Persad-Bissessar said T&T will craft its own foreign and security policies to defend its …
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About the the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI)
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The CCI is a collaboration between Caribbean and Canadian universities and colleges. The mission of the Institute is to provide a forum:
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to connect academic institutions, scholars, the business and public sectors, civil society, the cultural and diaspora communities
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to inform and encourage collaboration across Canada and the Caribbean to advance important social, environmental, and economic issues that are vital to the shared prosperity and advancement of both regions; and
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to identify impediments and opportunities related to such progress.
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For more information please visit our website
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