AGP Executive Report

Visa Update for Nevis & St. Kitts: Spain has reaffirmed visa-free short stays for citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis (and eight other CARICOM nations), allowing up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism and business—Jamaica and several others are not on the list. Health Support: The Ministry of Health received 20 Emergency Medical Response Backpacks from Direct Relief, with plans to distribute them across the health sector, starting with the ambulance emergency response team. Border Security Deal: CARICOM IMPACS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to strengthen biometric data sharing and background checks tied to regional security and OECS Citizenship by Investment programmes. Tourism & Travel: Oceania Cruises announced expanded Caribbean sailings that include St. Kitts among smaller-port, longer-itinerary itineraries. Community & Youth: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew backed the SKNDF Crime Intervention Summer Soccer Camp, while registration opened for the Sound Your Future Summer Camp for ages 10–18. Local Health & Leadership: Senior Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas says his recent spinal surgery went well and he’s recovering.

Crime Prevention Through Sport: PM Dr. Terrance Drew donated to the SKNDF’s 4th Annual Crime Intervention Summer Soccer Camp, backing youth ages 5–13 with sports and positive pathways. Public Safety Education: SKNFRS launched its Annual Summer Safety Programme for children (5–13) with fire, water, traffic, disaster preparedness, first aid, and violence prevention. Diplomacy: St. Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed its partnership with Taiwan at the UN, highlighting support in sustainable development, healthcare, education, technology, and resilience. Travel Update: Spain added St. Kitts and Nevis (and other CARICOM states) to its visa-free list for short stays, while Jamaica was left off. Local News & People: Police confirmed missing Conaree resident Peter Brownbill was found safe and undergoing medical assessment. Health Sector: JNF General Hospital held a sashing ceremony appointing Nikisha Hazel as Director of Institutional Nursing Services. Sports & Culture: Tejuan Webbe won NACAC U18 hurdles bronze; Nevis Culturama 52 Senior Kaiso finalists were announced; Nevis Mango Festival reported record crowds and sold-out events.

Visa-Free Travel: Spain has added Dominica to a list of nine CARICOM countries whose citizens can enter Spain visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism and business, including St. Kitts and Nevis. Diplomacy: St. Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with Taiwan at a UN meeting in New York, highlighting support in sustainable development, healthcare, education, technology and resilience. Public Safety: SKNFRS launched its 2026 Summer Safety Programme for children aged 5–13, focusing on fire, water, traffic safety, first aid, and disaster preparedness. Tourism & Transport: St. Kitts is moving ahead with a new Port Zante cruise terminal, with P&O turnaround operations planned from November 2027, and officials say airport expansion won’t strain operations at the start. Health & Community: JNF General Hospital held a sashing ceremony for Nikisha Hazel as Director of Institutional Nursing Services. Sports & Culture: Nevis Mango Festival reports its biggest year yet, while Nevis Culturama 52 Senior Kaiso finalists were announced and SKNFRS/volleyball action continues with ECVA U20 medals for St. Kitts and Nevis. Politics/Health Update: Dr. Denzil Douglas returned to public view in New York after three months away, saying he is recovering following major spinal surgery.

Tourism & Travel Safety: The U.S. State Department upgraded its travel advisory for Saint Lucia to “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution,” citing violent crime risks including armed robbery and sexual violence, with slower police response times than visitors may expect. Regional Aviation Pressure: Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne renewed calls for an OECS airline, blaming long delays and cancellations that strand travellers across the Eastern Caribbean. CARICOM Summit Fallout: CARICOM leaders took up the controversial U.S.-TCN deportee transit issue, stressing arrangements should not disrupt regional security or divert resources. Diplomacy: Saint Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with Taiwan at a UN meeting in New York, highlighting cooperation in healthcare, education, technology and resilience. Local Power Update: SKELEC says AMI smart meter installation is moving into Block 2, with brief electricity interruptions scheduled across several communities. Public Health Loss: The Health Ministry mourned the passing of dental clerk Adonis Harvey. Sports: St. Kitts and Nevis won medals at the ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship, taking men’s bronze and women’s silver. Politics & Health: Senior Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas broke his silence on a prolonged absence, saying he underwent major spinal surgery after serious health challenges. Culture & Food: Culinary Month is underway in St. Kitts and Nevis, with events and chef showcases running through July. Infrastructure: St. Kitts broke ground on a new cruise terminal at Port Zante, aimed at boosting turnaround and homeport services from 2027.

Tourism & Infrastructure: St. Kitts marked the groundbreaking of a new Port Zante cruise terminal, aimed at boosting turnaround/homeport services and supporting P&O Cruises from November 2027. Energy & Utilities: SKELEC says AMI smart meter installation is moving into Block 2 communities (Market Street, Freeman Village, College Housing, Shadwell Housing, Wades Garden, Soho and Dorset Village), with brief electricity interruptions during work. Health: The Ministry of Health mourned the passing of dental clerk Adonis Harvey, praising her compassion and care for patients. Politics & Governance: Former Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas ended weeks of speculation by saying he underwent major spinal surgery after serious health challenges tied to a 1988 accident. Regional Affairs: CARICOM leaders’ referral of Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett’s reappointment to the CCJ drew sharp criticism from veteran journalist Julian Rogers. Culture & Community: Culinary Month is underway across St. Kitts and Nevis, with themed events and local-ingredient showcases. Sports: St. Kitts won bronze (men) and silver (women) at the ECVA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship. Security/Immigration: DHS and CARICOM’s IMPACS signed a biometric data-sharing partnership to strengthen border vetting across participating countries.

SKNDF Community Service: The St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force has started a summer cleanup at St. Christopher Children’s Home, led by officers and soldiers from the Infantry, Coast Guard and Reserve units as part of its 29th anniversary outreach. Tourism & Airlift: Work is underway on a new Port Zante cruise terminal to support P&O Cruises’ St. Kitts turnaround plans from winter 2027, with the island aiming to keep momentum after handling more than 950,000 passengers this season. Regional Security: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and CARICOM’s IMPACS signed an agreement to share biometric data for border and immigration vetting across participating Caribbean countries. Regional Finance: ECCU Monetary Council updates highlighted progress on financial inclusion, including the First Step Savings Account and real-time payment systems under the “Big Push,” while Dr. Irving McIntyre took over ECCB Monetary Council chairmanship. Local Business & Community: SKCCU held a Business Development and Financial Readiness forum for entrepreneurs, and communities launched a medical fundraiser for former official Anthony Wiltshire after a heart attack. Citizenship Scrutiny: A U.S. sanctions listing tied an Iranian businessman to Saint Kitts and Nevis nationality and a Charlestown-registered company, raising fresh questions about citizenship screening and corporate oversight.

Middle East & Shipping: The U.S. says it struck more than 80 targets inside Iran after attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran hit U.S. sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, Trump declared the ceasefire over, and the U.S. revoked the oil-sales license—sending some tankers rerouting and cutting transit volume sharply overnight. U.S. Sanctions & Local Links: Washington imposed fresh Iran-related sanctions on Ali Ansari and exchange houses, and also flagged a Charlestown, Nevis-registered company, Smart Global Limited, raising fresh questions about citizenship screening and corporate oversight. Regional Security: DHS and CARICOM’s IMPACS signed a biometric data-sharing partnership to expand U.S. and regional border vetting, including for higher-risk citizenship-by-investment cases. ECCB/ECCU Finance: The ECCU Monetary Council met in Dominica, discussing financial inclusion progress, CAPSS and a fast payment system, and fiscal steps to cushion higher living costs. Tourism & Community: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson highlighted cruise homeporting ambitions; Nevis Culturama 52’s Senior Kaiso semi-finals run Sunday at DFCOE. Sports: St. Kitts teams opened strong at the ECVA U20 beach volleyball event in Frigate Bay. Diaspora: Ministers will host a New York diaspora town hall on July 14.

Iran Sanctions Hit St. Kitts & Nevis: The U.S. Treasury added Iranian businessman Ali Ansari—listed as holding a St. Kitts and Nevis passport—and designated a Charlestown-registered company, Smart Global Limited, in a sweeping crackdown tied to Iran’s financial networks. Regional Governance: CARICOM leaders met in Saint Lucia for its 51st Heads of Government meeting, while OECS heads discussed the EU’s Citizenship by Investment programme concerns and what any changes could mean for long-term prosperity. Tourism & Travel: St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson flagged sector challenges and pushed private-sector participation as the federation aims to become a cruise homeporting hub; separately, the U.S. issued a Turks and Caicos travel warning for higher crime levels. Local Business & Community: SKCCU hosted a business and financial readiness forum for entrepreneurs, and communities launched a medical fundraiser for former official Anthony Wiltshire. Culture & Sports: Nevis Culturama 52’s Senior Kaiso Fiesta semi-finals are set for Sunday, and Jahzara Claxton was named in the West Indies Women’s Ireland ODI squad.

Regional Integration & Governance: CARICOM leaders wrapped up their 51st Heads of Government meeting in Saint Lucia, with discussion continuing around unity and implementation gaps across the bloc. OECS & CBI Pressure: OECS heads met in Dominica to review an EU communication on Citizenship by Investment, warning any changes could hit economic resilience, climate resilience funding, and long-term prosperity. Border Security: The U.S. DHS signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with CARICOM IMPACS to strengthen border security and immigration vetting through biometric data sharing. Tourism & Cruise Growth: St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson told the Chamber the federation is pushing toward homeporting, while facing airlift and cruise fleet challenges; Port Zante cruise terminal progress remains central. Culture: Nevis Culturama 52’s TDC Senior Kaiso Fiesta semi-finals run July 12 at the DFCOE, with EC$20 admission at the gate. Local Business & Community: SKCCU held a business development and financial readiness forum for entrepreneurs, and Rotary honoured top graduates at Brontë Welsh Primary. Currency Update: ECCB unveiled redesigned EC banknotes featuring regional heroes, including Sir Robert Bradshaw on the EC$50 note. International Finance Watch: U.S. sanctions targeted an Iran-linked financier and exchange houses, with reporting tying a Saint Kitts and Nevis-based holding company to the network.

Regional Diplomacy & Governance: CARICOM’s 51st Heads of Government meeting in St. Lucia wrapped with leaders agreeing to refer the Secretary-General reappointment dispute to the Caribbean Court of Justice, while keeping the current status quo in place until the advisory opinion lands. Eastern Caribbean Finance: The ECCB Monetary Council unveiled redesigned EC banknotes that replace Queen Elizabeth II’s image with national heroes and regional icons, including St. Kitts and Nevis’ Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw on the new EC$50 note. Tourism & Homeporting: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson told the Chamber luncheon that the new Port Zante cruise terminal is on track to support homeporting operations starting in November 2027, with private sector participation key to success. Nevis Resilience & Safety: Nevis Disaster Management launched youth-focused disaster preparedness activities, including a Junior Lifeguard Training Program and fire safety camp sessions. International Sanctions With Local Links: The U.S. Treasury imposed fresh Iran-related sanctions on Ali Ansari and exchange houses, with reporting noting a Saint Kitts and Nevis-based holding company tied to the network. Local Business Update: C&W Business has rebranded to Liberty Business in St. Kitts and Nevis, positioning the company as a digital adviser and technology partner.

US Sanctions & Finance: The U.S. Treasury imposed fresh Iran-related sanctions on Dubai-based businessman Ali Ansari and linked exchange houses, including entities tied to Saint Kitts and Nevis, as Washington targets Iran’s financial networks. Local Governance & Loss: St. Kitts and Nevis held a state funeral for former Deputy Prime Minister Hugh C. Heyliger, with officials and the public paying respects at Wesley Methodist Church. Tourism & Homeporting: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson urged private sector participation as St. Kitts pushes toward homeporting, spotlighting the Port Zante cruise terminal timeline and economic opportunities. Currency & National Pride: ECCB unveiled redesigned EC banknotes replacing Queen Elizabeth II with regional heroes; St. Kitts and Nevis’ Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw will appear on the EC$50 note. Health, Education & Resilience: FAO visited to advance sustainable agriculture and food security, while Nevis Disaster Management launched youth safety and junior lifeguard training to strengthen community resilience. Business & Services: C&W Business has evolved to Liberty Business in St. Kitts and Nevis, positioning the company as a digital adviser and technology partner.

ECCB Currency Upgrade: The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank unveiled redesigned EC banknotes featuring regional heroes and icons, with St. Kitts and Nevis’ Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw set to appear on the new EC$50 note, unveiled during the Monetary Council ceremony in Dominica. CARICOM Court Move: CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to seek a Caribbean Court of Justice advisory opinion on the procedural legality of Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett’s reappointment, while the current status remains in place until the ruling. Regional Cost of Living Focus: At the CARICOM summit in St. Lucia, leaders zeroed in on the high cost of living, linking it to imported energy prices and urging policy action to cushion households. Leadership Change at NIS: Ronette Lewis officially became Executive Director of the National Insurance Services, taking over from Stewart Haynes. Nevis Culture Spotlight: Nevisian actor Davien Griffin landed his first leading on-screen role in the upcoming film “Melody Heals the Soul,” with production expected to begin next week. Community & Youth: TDC backed a Charlestown mural project, while St. Kitts launched a gang graffiti removal drive in Central Basseterre to beautify public spaces and support youth. Sports Departures: St. Kitts and Nevis athletes headed to the NACAC U18 & U23 Championships in Mexico and swimmers to the PanAm Aquatics Age Group Championship in Colombia.

CARICOM Legal Move: CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to refer the dispute over the reappointment of Secretary-General Carla Barnett to the Caribbean Court of Justice for an advisory opinion after Trinidad and Tobago’s objection, with the current reappointment status staying in effect until the ruling. Nevis Culture & Creative Economy: Nevis is celebrating a major film milestone as actor Davien Griffin lands his first leading role in “Melody Heals the Soul,” with production set to begin next week. Community Safety & Pride: In Charlestown and Central Basseterre, local projects are cleaning up public spaces—TDC-backed “Floral Elegance” mural work is underway, while a gang graffiti removal programme has volunteers and residents beautifying Durant Avenue and Prickley Pear Alley. Trade & Skills: The Ministry of International Trade and the OECS are running a four-day trade seminar to strengthen the services sector and negotiating capacity. Tourism Boost: St. Kitts is pushing ahead with cruise growth, breaking ground on the Port Zante cruise terminal, while American Airlines adds two daily Miami–St. Kitts flights for the winter season. Regional Finance Milestone: The ECCB marked 50 years of the EC dollar’s fixed exchange rate, as leaders look to the next phase of the “Big Push” agenda.

Community Safety & Pride: St. Kitts’ Department of Community Development, with the PM’s Office and the ELEVATE Programme, launched a gang graffiti removal drive in Central Basseterre, cleaning Durant Avenue and moving to Prickley Pear Alley, with residents and youth volunteers joining in. Tourism & Youth: The St. Kitts Yacht Club announced a Summer Aquatic & Sail Camp (July 13–17 and July 20–24) for ages 5–16, with sailing, kayaking, marine education and weekly fees for members and non-members. Regional Aid: CARICOM’s humanitarian package for Cuba has finally been cleared for delivery after sanctions-related banking hurdles, with supplies including food, medical items and solar equipment. Economic Planning: The National Productivity Council marked its first year, saying it’s building the framework for productivity-led growth and competitiveness. ECCB Focus: The ECCB marked 50 years of the EC dollar’s fixed US$2.70 rate and outlined next steps under its “Big Push” agenda. Governance at CARICOM: CARICOM agreed to refer the dispute over Secretary-General Carla Barnett’s reappointment to the CCJ for an advisory opinion. CBI Warning: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley renewed his push for OECS states to diversify, warning the EU’s 2028 CBI shutdown notice could bring visa-free access consequences. Infrastructure & Growth: SKELEC began phased AMI meter installations across St. Kitts, and St. Kitts broke ground on a new Port Zante cruise terminal aimed at home-porting by 2027. Sports & Culture: Duggins said cultural tourism can drive sustainable growth, while Nevis was highlighted in regional travel and awards coverage.

CARICOM Politics: CARICOM leaders agreed to refer the dispute over CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett’s reappointment to the Caribbean Court of Justice for an advisory opinion, with the current status quo to remain while the ruling is pending. Regional Integration: In Saint Lucia, CARICOM Secretary-General Barnett urged faster implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, calling for stronger action in health, education and culture. CBI Pressure on OECS: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley warned OECS states to diversify as the EU moves to end Citizenship by Investment by 2028, warning of possible visa-free access fallout. Tourism & Airlift: American Airlines will add two daily nonstop Miami–St. Kitts flights for the winter season (Dec 17, 2026–Apr 5, 2027). Cruise Development: St. Kitts broke ground on a new Port Zante cruise terminal aimed at turnaround/home-port services by November 2027. Local Justice & Culture: Charges against Kollision Band members over noisy instruments during a funeral procession were dropped, alongside a diversion plan. Trade Services: St. Kitts and Nevis hosted a four-day specialized services sector training seminar with OECS support. Sports: Nevis Mango Festival 2026 wrapped up after four days, ending with “For the Love of Mangoes.”

Airlift Boost for Tourism: American Airlines will add two daily non-stop Miami–St. Kitts flights from Dec. 17, 2026 to Apr. 5, 2027, timed for peak winter travel and Sugar Mas. Cruise Growth: St. Kitts broke ground on a new Port Zante cruise terminal aimed at turnaround/home-port services, with operations starting in Nov. 2027. Regional Aviation: Trans Anguilla Airways marks a milestone with GDS integration, expanding access across the Eastern Caribbean. CARICOM Governance Row: CARICOM leaders agreed to seek a CCJ advisory opinion on the reappointment process for Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett after Trinidad and Tobago objected, with the status quo maintained. Nevis Spotlight: Nevis Mango Festival 2026 wrapped up, and Nevis was featured in TravelPulse’s America 250 experiences tied to Alexander Hamilton. Local Energy Update: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley apologized for a communication lapse around the fuel surcharge and said savings will be passed on if oil prices ease. Sports & Culture: ECVA beach volleyball shifts to an Under-20 format in Frigate Bay, and the Nevis Dinghy Championships concluded with Optimist, RS Feva, ILCA 4.7 and ILCA 7 winners.