A recent report released in Chile says changing patterns of climate variability and extreme weather events are negatively affecting all dimensions of food security and exacerbating other underlying causes of malnutrition in all its forms in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
The report titled 2024 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition states that Latin America and the Caribbean is the second-most exposed region in the world to extreme weather events, following Asia.
The 2024 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition is a joint publication by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
In this region, at least 20 countries face a high frequency of such events, indicating significant exposure, and 14 are considered vulnerable, as they are more likely to experience increased undernourishment.
The report noted the impact of extreme weather events was further worsened by persistent structural challenges, including conflicts, economic slowdowns, crises, and underlying factors such as high levels of in equality, lack of access to affordable healthy diets, and unhealthy food environments.
The report underscores the urgent need to accelerate action to build resilience within agrifood systems, which are critical for the region’s progress toward eradicating hunger and malnutrition in all its forms. It also emphasizes that ensuring the long-term sustainability of agri-food systems is essential.
Grenada
The Grenada government has announced plans to create an economic advisory group targeting handpicked high net-worth individuals who have been approached to become citizens by invitation through its citizenship by investment (CBI) program.
Under the CBI, foreign nationals are provided with citizenship of Grenada in return for making a substantial contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Investment Migration Agency Grenada (IMA Grenada) has teamed up with Arton Capital, and Forbes Global Talent to offer handpicked high net worth individuals the opportunity to invest in Grenada’s citizenship and provide ongoing advisory to Grenada’s prime minister.
According to the website mygrenadasolutions. com, which is run by approved CBI marketing agent GC-BI-MA-0068, the initiative is called Citizenship by Invitation. It invites change-makers on Forbes’ billionaire list who have expertise in areas of interest to Grenada to apply for citizenship and become advisors to Grenada’s policymakers.
The website says that the economic advisory role, achieved upon their naturalization, is not considered a special appointment and does not come with a diplomatic passport. As an incentive to apply for citizenship, these specially invited individuals will benefit from priority processing of their applications, as applications will be processed in a minimum of three to four months.
Haiti
Haitian National Police (PNH) in the Artibonite region presented nine men accused of being members of the Kokorat Rat San Ras gang just days after arresting them on the Gonaïves–Port-au-Prince route. The arrests, officials say, are part of efforts to combat escalating gang violence in Haiti’s Artibonite region.
Last month, the PNH intercepted a minibus near Gonaïves carrying seven alleged members of Kokorat Rat San Ras. During the arrest, PNH members seized several Items that the police claim indicate the suspects’ affiliation.
“These individuals were apprehended while traveling along a key route connecting Gonaïves to Port-au-Prince,” said Fequier Casseus, PNH spokesperson for Artibonite.
Two additional suspects were arrested in the Morne Pilboro area for their alleged role in truck hijackings, Casseus added. The suspects, however, denied the allegations during the press conference.
“We were merely passengers traveling from Port-au-Prince on the minibus,” one said.
The Artibonite region, home to Haiti’s agricultural heartland, has become a battleground between rival gangs vying for control. These gangs have been linked to mass killings, arson, and kidnappings, leaving dozens dead and thousands displaced in recent months.
Jamaica
Culture Minister Olivia Grange announced in Parliament that Reggae Month 2025 will be observed in February under the theme: Come Ketch Di Riddim.
Grange said, “We invite Jamaicans and the people of the world to embrace the reggae vibe. It’s a spirit that resonates through the rhythm and the impactful lyrics of our talented artistes.”
The minister said the events would allow both locals and tourists to enjoy live reggae music every day.
“We continue the tradition of showcasing reggae through a full slate of events organized by the Reggae Month Secretariat, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), the Institute of Jamaica, and other agencies of the Ministry of Culture.”
Additionally, Grange said support was being offered to numerous commemorative events produced by independent organizers, including the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), with whom there is a shared long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship.
The month of activities will commence on Feb. 1, with a tribute to the Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown at his resting place in National Heroes’ Park.
On Feb. 2, the Reggae Month Church Service at Fellowship Tabernacle will offer prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.
The Bob Marley Tribute Concert is scheduled for Feb. 6 at Emancipation Park.
She added that the tourism resort town of Negril will come alive with events like the Wavz One Love Music, Jerk Weekend Fest and Love at Woodstock Negril on Valentine’s Day.
Grange also said the Island Music Conference would return from Feb. 20 to 22 and be hosted by reggae artiste Shaggy.
She said Reggae singer Marica Griffiths would be honoured for her 60 years in the business with the presentation of an icon award.
Additionally, educational initiatives such as the Groundation Lecture Series by the Jamaica Music Museum and symposia will provide spaces for meaningful dialogue about reggae’s role in the culture and industry.
St Kitts and Nevis
The St Kitts-based Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has distanced itself from “any crypto token ventures and/or stablecoins on any public blockchains.”
Stablecoins attempt to create a crypto currency token with a stable price. Their stability is commonly achieved by pegging the token to an asset such as gold or fiat.
In a statement, the ECCB which serves as a central bank for Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis and Montserrat said it had been made aware of a venture being promoted as a stablecoin on the Solana blockchain “and which is fraudulently utilizing the ECCB’s official logo in its online promotions.”
“This representation is false and the ECCB is working with the relevant authorities to stop fraudulent misuse of its name and branding.”
The ECCB said that it concluded its central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot, DCash, in January 2024 and that while preliminary work was in progress to implement a commercial deployment styled DCash 2.0, “the ECCB does not currently operate a digital currency or stablecoin in any market.”
St. Lucia
The St Lucia-based Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission recently announced that it will launch window two of the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme (MGP) on Feb. 12.
It said that the program was a key component of the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Eastern Caribbean (UBEC) project, which was designed to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the blue economy sectors in Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The UBEC project is a World Bank-funded initiative to promote the sustainable use of marine resources and advance climate-resilient economies in the Caribbean.
It is focused on the fisheries, marine/coastal tourism, and waste management sectors. The project supports MSMEs in these sectors in adopting sustainable practices, creating economic opportunities, and enhancing regional collaboration.
The OECS Commission said the virtual launch on February 12 is aimed at providing vital information on the application process and eligibility criteria for potential applicants. The window-two call for proposals will remain open until March 19 this year, giving MSMEs and value chain groups a window of time to apply for grants to strengthen their businesses and operations.
It said, “This funding is open to value chain groups that include businesses involved in waste management, marine/coastal tourism, and fisheries. The programme seeks to create stronger market linkages, enhance collaboration among MSMEs, and increase value creation across the blue economy value chains in these sectors. The focus is not only on increasing productivity and competitiveness but also on ensuring the sustainable management of the Caribbean’s vital marine and coastal assets.”
