Monday, March 30, 2026 | Caribbean Brief

Jamaica Tables a Hurricane Budget

Jamaica’s Finance Minister Fayval Williams has opened the 2026–2027 budget debate, navigating a JA$1.4 trillion national budget with a hole left by Hurricane Melissa — which struck in October 2025 and wiped out an estimated 40% of GDP. New taxes are on the table for the first time in ten years, including a levy on sweetened beverages expected to generate JA$10.1 billion. Williams noted it took a Category 5 hurricane for the government to introduce new taxes. Jamaica is rebuilding. The math is difficult.

US Removes Military Radar from Tobago

The United States has quietly removed military radar equipment from Tobago, with the Trinidad and Tobago opposition slamming the government over the move. The US offered no public explanation. T&T’s Defence Minister dismissed claims that the country’s airspace had been restricted, insisting all aviation operations remain normal. What exactly was removed, why, and what replaces it are questions still in search of answers.

Guyana Plays Football Today

The Golden Jaguars face Belize today in a CONCACAF friendly in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Guyana comes in on form — recent wins over Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Bonaire, and Montserrat have built confidence ahead of World Cup qualifying. The squad had a late adjustment with forward Chris Macey replacing another player. Kick-off tonight.

T&T PM at Caribbean Energy Week

The Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister is set to address Caribbean Energy Week 2026 amid what’s being described as a multi-billion-dollar regional energy investment surge. With Middle East tensions disrupting global supply chains and Caribbean fuel costs climbing, the timing of this conversation is not coincidental. The region is looking for answers it doesn’t yet have.

Antigua Hosting Commonwealth Summit in November

Antigua and Barbuda will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from November 1–4, 2026. Prime Minister Gaston Browne will assume the Commonwealth chairmanship. The summit will focus on climate resilience and economic innovation. Browne has been pointed about the stakes for small states: countries that are not at the table end up on the menu. November is coming fast.

Haiti: Government Reiterates Election Commitment

Haiti’s transitional government has reiterated its commitment to holding elections, amid continuing gang violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The Haitian National Police reported 43 gang members killed across 32 security operations in the first quarter of 2026. The country’s path to elections remains unclear. The commitment, at least, has been stated again.

Bank of Jamaica Sees Faster Recovery

Amid the post-hurricane economic strain, the Bank of Jamaica is projecting a faster-than-expected economic recovery. The optimism is cautious — a second consecutive hurricane year, new taxes, and a widened trade deficit create real headwinds. But the bank is seeing signals of resilience. Jamaica has been through worse. It tends to come back.

CARICOM States at Americas Counter Cartel Conference

Four CARICOM states, including Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, attended the Americas Counter Cartel Conference and subsequently joined the ACC coalition. Antigua’s PM Browne raised questions about the implications for regional sovereignty. The coalition is US-led. The region’s relationship with Washington remains complicated, as always.

That’s your Caribbean Monday. The region moves. — GDB