Caribbean News RoundUp · Pulse of the Caribbean

#428 Caribbean News Round Up Episode 2 Week of February 23

February 26, 2026·20 min·2 clips

CARICOM leaders gather as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to discuss security and migration amid Trump administration policies.

This episode of Caribbean News Roundup provides a daily news headlines format focusing on Caribbean regional developments for the week of February 23rd. It begins with coverage of the 50th regular meeting of CARICOM heads of government in St. Kitts and Nevis, themed 'Beyond Words, Action Today for Thriving Sustainable CARICOM'. The summit addressed climate change, food security, transportation, crime, and economic stability. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended, pledging deeper cooperation on security, energy, and economic development, while regional leaders expressed concerns about Trump administration policies. Discussions highlighted geopolitical shifts, with mentions of Cuba's humanitarian crisis due to U.S. sanctions and oil embargoes affecting hurricane recovery. The episode then shifts to security news, reporting a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean Sea that killed three alleged narcotics runners, part of a campaign since September 2025 totaling 150 deaths, criticized by human rights groups as extrajudicial killings. It covers Cuba accusing a U.S. registered speedboat of organizing a terrorist infiltration off its coast, escalating tensions after the U.S. seizure of Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro. The episode includes updates on Antigua and Barbuda monitoring students in Cuba amid economic strains, and Guyana hosting the Caribbean Shipping Association's 56th Annual General Meeting in October 2026, focusing on supply chain management. It details an economic dispute where the British Virgin Islands raised fees on U.S. maritime small businesses by 6,000%, prompting U.S. Small Business Administration intervention. Business news features Collins Aerospace investing over $40 million to expand in Puerto Rico, adding 525 jobs, and Virgin Atlantic sponsoring Antigua's Sailing Week in 2026. The episode concludes with promotional content for the podcast and a greeting to listeners in various locations.

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