A new Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report reveals the high costs of crime and violence for the Latin America and the Caribbean region: “The cost of crime is equivalent to 78% of the public budget for education, double the public budget for social assistance, and 12 times the budget for research and development.” The Caribbean, specifically, recorded some of the highest homicide rates in the region and highest costs to GDP, with homicides in Jamaica costing roughly 1.2% of GDP in 2022. Trinidad and Tobago recorded the second-highest figure at 1% of GDP, per IDB. At the current rate this year, Trinidad and Tobago is on track to hit 730 murders in 2024, reports CMP, highlighting the current spike in violence in the country. Homicides in Barbados have also grown, increasing 168% from January-October in 2024 in comparison to 2023, adds CMP.
The Miami Herald reports that 90% of homicides in the Caribbean are carried out with guns from the U.S., revealing a larger trend of gun trafficking in the Caribbean from the United States. The data comes from a new GAO report, from the US government. “In a letter sent to U.S. legislators in late September, New York’s attorney general and 13 other colleagues across the U.S. demanded new measures to stop the flow of guns,” notes AP.
Climate Justice
The Moana blue Pacific pavilion at COP29 convened small island developing states (SIDs) and youth activists who pushed for climate change action and initiatives to mitigate environmental harm, notes The Conversation.
CARICOM Secretary General Carla Natalie Barnett spoke at COP29 about the issue of climate-related migration in the Caribbean, noting, “Given the realities of limited fiscal space, cooperation and partnerships are critical between CARICOM states and international and bilateral development agencies.” (CMP; via Americas Migration Brief)
Caribbean Feminist highlights the nexus between climate change and labor, including worker safety: “For the workers whose lives and livelihoods are at stake against sea level rise, extreme heat, increased rainfall and flooding, vector-borne illnesses, and much more, they deserve to navigate safer working conditions.”
In a new series, The Conversation created a new “quick climate dictionary,” partnering with climate scientists to define key terms.
In the 4th round of Climate Tracker’s Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship, 14 journalists from 9 Caribbean countries share their stories chronicling the disproportionate impact of climate change on the region.
A Climate Tracker report finds an imbalance in fossil fuel extraction and dependency in the Commonwealth.
The Gleaner highlights Caribbean youth voices at the forefront of climate issues at COP29.
“An IOM report explores environmental justice in the Caribbean and the potential role that the regional Escazú Agreement could play for addressing climate-related migration issues.” (via Americas Migration Brief)
Colonialism
In Stabroek News, Guyanese historian Nigel Westmaas writes of the impact of the Ruimveldt labor strike or rebellion 100 years later, writing that “this upheaval revealed the fraught dynamics underpinning colonial society, as the colony’s social and economic foundations were severely tested.”
Finance and Development
Economist Marla Dukharan was named Non-Executive Director of the Tax Justice Network. Dukharan is a Trinidadian currently based in Barbados, and will provide a diverse voice and perspective on the Caribbean’s view towards global tax processes.
Human Rights
Martinique “is currently undergoing an intense social crisis that combines LGBTphobic violence and painful inflation,” says Erasing 76 Crimes.
The UN estimates that in 2019, Grenada spent an estimated $63 million to respond to violence against women, representing 5.24% of the country’s GDP.
Experts shared stories on violence against migrant, sex worker, and transgender women in Guyana at an Inter-American Human Rights Commission hearing, citing ineffective legislative protections and state policies.
Civil society plays a crucial role in representing marginalized communities and individuals in Bonaire, reports CMP.
Public Health
“In the Caribbean, approximately 5,100 people still die each year from HIV-related causes, according to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). In addition, one-third of the HIV cases are identified in advanced stage.” (CMP)
U.S.-Caribbean Relations
The nomination of Marco Rubio as U.S. Secretary of State will impact Cuba greatly, notes El Toque, given his hardline stance against the Country and a proponent of stronger action against the government.
The Guardian notes the growing intent of the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio - falsely accused by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump of eating cats and dogs - to leave the community following Trump’s electoral victory. The Haitian community is afraid of mass deportation under a Trump presidency.
Haiti
“Lesbians and queer women in Haiti are living in fear after notorious gang leader Krisla, who is believed to be behind numerous heinous kidnappings, expressly threatened to target lesbian teenagers in the southern Port-au-Prince suburbs,” reports Erasing 76 Crimes.
In the New York Times, Frances Robles writes about the ongoing crises in Haiti and the lack of concrete solutions, despite U.S. foreign assistance and the Kenyan-led UN mission, among others. Experts are struggling to come up with explanations for the undeterred gang expansion and possible solutions.
“More than 20,000 people have been displaced across Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince in just four days, including over 17,000 hosted in 15 displacement sites even as gang violence escalates,” says IOM, adding, “The closure of air traffic following the targeted shootings at three commercial aircraft over Port-au-Prince, restricted access to the country’s main seaport, and unsafe roads controlled by armed groups have left the metropolitan area in a state of near-total paralysis, compounding the suffering of already vulnerable populations.” (via Americas Migration Brief)
“Activists have called on Caribbean governments to halt the mass deportation of Haitians fleeing escalating gang violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people,” reports The Guardian. (via Americas Migration Brief)
Events
On December 3, CLACS will host an event as part of their Caribbean Studies Seminar Series focused on Curaçao and Trinidad and Tobago’s Response to the Venezuelan Migration Crisis. More event information can be found here.
Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) Let’s Talk Justice show hosted a discussion on inhumane lock-up conditions. Check it out here.
Opportunities
The Caribbean Gender Alliance will be hosting a Rapid Gender Analysis Training Workshop in January 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago. Up to 20 participants from the Caribbean will be chosen for the workshop. More information here.
The EarthShot Prize profiles the winners of their 2024 series! Check out their stories here.