AGP Executive Report

UNESCO Cybersecurity for Seniors: St. Kitts and Nevis hosted a SIM Caribbean hybrid workshop for older adults, bringing together regional stakeholders to tackle cybersecurity, media literacy, and misinformation—framing digital skills as a “right” for safer banking, health access, and staying connected. Regional Health Tech: CARPHA says Saint Lucia is now live with a new Molbio rapid PCR platform, capable of detecting multiple infectious diseases in under two hours, cutting outbreak response delays. ECCU Finance Pivot: An ECCB update signals a pause on DCash 2.0 development, shifting focus from a new retail digital currency push toward more practical payment/market improvements. Energy Shock in Cuba: Reports say Cuba has run out of diesel and fuel oil reserves, triggering longer blackouts and fresh fuel talks complicated by U.S. sanctions. Climate Pressure on Daily Life: Sargassum cleanup costs and visitor losses keep climbing, with forecasts warning blooms may arrive earlier and hit harder.

Cybersecurity & Digital Inclusion: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean hybrid workshops are rolling across islands, with St. Kitts and Nevis hosting a “Cybersecurity for Older Adults” session (May 13) focused on safe banking, health access, and spotting misinformation—while a youth MIL workshop (May 14) pushed young people to become “ambassadors of truth and tolerance” online. Public Health Tech: Saint Lucia has completed a new rapid PCR testing platform (Molbio) that can detect multiple infectious diseases in under two hours, joining a 10-country CARPHA rollout meant to speed outbreak detection and isolation. Regional Health Capacity: CARPHA says Molbio rapid diagnostic platforms are now installed across 10 member states under the Pandemic Fund Project, expanding fast molecular testing for threats from influenza and malaria to Nipah and norovirus. ECCU Finance Shift (Op-Ed): A fresh ECCU commentary argues the region’s diversification push has been uneven—tourism bounced back, but healthcare lagged—while the ECCB’s “quiet financial reset” includes suspending DCash 2.0 development. Energy Shock Context: Cuba’s fuel reserves are reported as fully depleted, with blackouts worsening amid sanctions pressure—an ongoing reminder of how quickly systems can break.

Cybersecurity for Seniors: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean hybrid workshop in St. Kitts and Nevis (running across St. Kitts/Nevis, Grenada, and Antigua & Barbuda) brought together regional stakeholders to focus on cybersecurity, media literacy, and misinformation—aimed directly at helping older adults stay safe online as digital services become everyday essentials. Youth Digital Literacy: A parallel UNESCO SIM Caribbean MIL and Youth Stakeholder workshop also pushed young people to sharpen critical thinking and research skills to counter online misinformation and hate. Health Tech Upgrade: In Saint Lucia, CARPHA says a new Molbio rapid PCR platform is now operational, delivering multi-disease detection in under two hours to speed outbreak response. Regional Context: CARPHA also reports Molbio rapid testing rollouts across 10 countries under the Pandemic Fund Project, expanding faster diagnostics across the Caribbean.

Cybersecurity for seniors: UNESCO’s SIM Caribbean workshop in St. Kitts and Nevis is pushing media and information literacy for older adults, framing digital skills as a “shield” for safer banking, healthcare access, and staying connected. Youth digital resilience: A parallel UNESCO MIL youth workshop in Basseterre urged young people to sharpen critical thinking and fight misinformation and online hate. Faster outbreak detection: Saint Lucia has completed a new rapid PCR system with CARPHA, cutting multi-disease testing to under two hours and boosting readiness for threats from flu to Nipah. Regional health capacity: CARPHA says Molbio rapid testing platforms are now installed across 10 countries under the Pandemic Fund, with routine testing and weekly data sharing next. Energy squeeze in Cuba: Reports say Cuba has run out of diesel and fuel oil reserves, with blackouts worsening amid sanctions pressure. Local pressure point: Rural communities in the U.S. are watching hospital closures closely, with one resident pointing to Grenada as the nearest emergency option.

Public Health Upgrade: Saint Lucia has finished installing a new Molbio rapid PCR testing platform, now able to detect multiple infectious diseases in under two hours—CARPHA says it can test for threats from COVID-19 and influenza to cholera, malaria, TB, and even pandemic-potential pathogens like Nipah and norovirus, cutting turnaround times from days to fewer than two hours. Regional Lab Boost: The same Molbio rollout is already completed across 10 CARPHA member states under the Pandemic Fund Project, with routine testing and weekly data sharing planned. Grenada Angle: Grenada is listed among the countries receiving the platforms, tying directly into faster outbreak detection across the wider Eastern Caribbean. Elsewhere in the week: Cuba’s fuel reserves have reportedly run out, worsening blackouts, while Caribbean tourism trends point to more tech-driven, experience-first travel.

Digital Economy Buzz: Jamaica is climbing fast on OnlyFans, with per-capita spending jumping to about US$10,249 per 10,000 people in 2025 (up 18.4% from 2024), and an estimated US$2.87m total spend—part of a wider “creator economy” surge across the Americas. Public Health Tech: CARPHA has rolled out Molbio rapid PCR testing across 10 countries, cutting turnaround from days to under two hours—Saint Lucia is now able to detect multiple infections quickly as routine testing ramps up. Regional Finance Pivot: The ECCB has suspended DCash 2.0 development, signaling a shift away from retail CBDC experiments toward more practical payment and market-depth thinking. Energy Crisis: Cuba says it has run out of diesel and fuel oil reserves, with blackouts reportedly stretching beyond 20 hours a day. Climate Pressure on Food: Barbados fisheries are still recovering from recent hurricanes, while sargassum and warming seas keep disrupting fishing and livelihoods.

OnlyFans Boom: Jamaica is surging as a per-capita OnlyFans spender, with spending per 10,000 rising to about US$10,249 in 2025 (up 18.4% from 2024), and an estimated US$2.87m in total spend—about US$830m over two years across the country. Public Health Tech: CARPHA has rolled out Molbio rapid PCR testing across 10 countries, cutting turnaround from days to under two hours and boosting outbreak detection in places like Saint Lucia. Energy Crisis: Cuba says it has run out of diesel and fuel oil reserves, with blackouts in Havana reportedly lasting over 20 hours a day as sanctions complicate fuel imports. Climate Pressure on Food: Barbados’ fishing sector is still recovering from recent hurricanes, but sargassum and warming seas are adding fresh disruption. Grenada Digital Push: Grenada is training agriculture officers on drones after buying 9 systems (EC$200,000) to help protect crops and livestock.

Energy Crisis in Cuba: Cuba’s energy minister says the island has run out of diesel and fuel oil reserves, with blackouts now stretching past 20 hours a day—sparking protests in Havana and beyond, while U.S. sanctions complicate any fuel purchases. Public Health Tech: CARPHA has rolled out Molbio rapid PCR testing across 10 countries, cutting turnaround to under two hours; Saint Lucia’s new platform is built for faster outbreak detection and weekly data sharing. Grenada’s Digital Pivot: The ECCB has suspended DCash 2.0 development, signaling a shift away from “retail” CBDC plans toward more practical payment-focused upgrades. Regional Tourism Shift: A 2026 travel trends report says Caribbean growth is increasingly driven by tech-enabled, experience-first travel—especially among Millennials and Gen X in places like Curaçao, Saint Lucia, and Grenada. Grenada Agriculture Drones: Grenada is training agriculture officers on UAVs after buying 9 drones for EC$200,000 to modernize farming and protect crops and livestock.

Public Health Tech Rollout: CARPHA has completed the Molbio rapid PCR testing rollout across 10 countries, cutting turnaround times to under two hours and strengthening regional surveillance for threats from flu and malaria to TB, HIV, and even Nipah. Outbreak Watch: CARPHA is also urging vigilance as a hantavirus cluster linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius is tracked internationally, while it says the risk to the wider Caribbean remains low. Grenada Digital & Finance: The ECCB appears to be pivoting away from DCash 2.0 after suspending its development, signaling a shift toward more practical payment goals. Tourism Demand Signals: A new Amadeus/CHTA report says Curaçao is drawing more Millennials and Gen X—especially couples and young families—while wellness and “destination authenticity” are driving longer stays. Local Tech in Agriculture: Grenada is training agriculture officers on drones after investing EC$200,000 in nine new units to help farmers respond faster and protect crops and livestock.

Tourism Demand Shift: Curaçao is pulling more higher-value Millennials and Gen X travelers, with Amadeus/CHTA data showing 26–65-year-olds dominate arrivals and drive longer stays plus more wellness and “authenticity” spending. Regional Finance Pivot: The ECCB has suspended DCash 2.0 development, signaling a move away from retail CBDC hype toward more practical payment improvements. Grenada Energy Push: Grenada’s geothermal plans are advancing—expanded drilling at Mount St. Catherine is now aimed at proving viability, with the timeline stretching to 2028. Public Health Watch: CARPHA says the hantavirus risk in the Caribbean remains low, but cruise-linked monitoring continues after a cluster on the MV Hondius. Local Tech & Farming: Grenada agriculture officers begin hands-on drone training after new drone purchases to help protect crops and livestock. Media Loss: Grenada mourns journalist Linda Straker, remembered for fearless reporting and major digital award recognition.

SIDS Funding Reality Check: A new op-ed argues the MVI country profile is a turning point for Small Island States because “middle/high-income” labels can block low-interest resilience loans—despite disasters that can wipe out a huge share of GDP. Public Health Watch: CARPHA says the hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship MV Hondius is low risk for the Caribbean, but urges vigilance as cases and contact tracing continue. Grenada Tech & Energy: Grenada is ramping up geothermal exploration at Mount St. Catherine with expanded drilling plans, aiming for stronger data and a longer timeline to 2028. Agriculture Modernization: Grenada’s agriculture ministry is training officers on drones after buying 9 systems (now 12 total) to help protect crops and livestock. Digital Policy: Grenada’s VAT on digital services is moving from ambiguity to clarity, with the goal of capturing more of the spend that currently leaks abroad. Regional Tech/Climate: Korea’s embassy hosted a digital-AI ocean climate action seminar, with a focus on coastal resilience starting with Grenada’s Carriacou.

Sargassum Costs Bite Back: Miami-Dade’s seaweed cleanup is getting more expensive and less effective as blooms arrive earlier and pile up faster—taxpayers spend nearly $4M a year on tractors, while tourism losses hit hotels, restaurants, and bars. Public Health Watch: CARPHA says the hantavirus risk across the Caribbean is low, but it’s urging vigilance after a cruise-ship cluster linked to MV Hondius left nine cases and three deaths reported as of 11 May. Grenada–China Push: Grenada’s tourism minister is in China lining up investment, tourism, culture, and museum/heritage protection talks after high-level conference meetings. Grenada Energy Upgrade: CDB is backing expanded geothermal drilling at Mount St. Catherine, replacing earlier slim wells with deeper directional drilling to guide next investment steps. Local Tech for Farming: Grenada’s agriculture ministry begins hands-on drone training after buying 9 drones (12 total) to help farmers respond faster and protect crops and livestock. Youth Spotlight: Grenada’s National Youth Awards kick off 16 June; nominations are extended to 15 May.

Public Health Update: CARPHA is briefing the region on a hantavirus cluster linked to the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, with WHO reporting nine cases (confirmed and suspected) and three deaths as of 11 May, while CARPHA says the risk to the Caribbean remains low and urges vigilance as contact tracing spans multiple countries. Grenada–China Push: Grenada’s tourism minister is in China following a high-level development conference, pitching investment and tourism links and flagging potential partnerships tied to culture, heritage, and renewable energy equipment. Defense Tech Abroad: Fort Bragg troops are reportedly using drones to support air-defense operations in the Middle East, coordinating defensive overwatch against drone attacks. Regional Economy & Policy: Saint Lucia’s Caribbean Investment Summit is putting Citizenship by Investment and regulatory change front and center as leaders and investors map the next phase of migration-linked development. Grenada Tech in Agriculture: Grenada is training agriculture officers on drones after purchasing nine systems, aiming to modernize crop and livestock protection.

Fort Bragg Drones in Iran: U.S. commanders say Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne and 108th Air Defense troops are helping counter Iranian drone attacks, providing 24/7 defensive overwatch as warships and aircraft also track and defeat threats. Caribbean Investment Push: Saint Lucia is hosting CIS26 (May 6–9), with leaders and Citizenship by Investment officials debating how investment migration can keep delivering jobs and infrastructure while regulators tighten rules. Grenada Tech for Farms: Grenada is training agriculture officers on drones after buying 9 unmanned systems (EC$200,000) to boost crop and livestock protection. Geothermal Moves: CDB is backing an expanded Mount St. Catherine drilling campaign to guide whether geothermal power can become a real energy option by 2028. Public Health Watch: CARPHA says hantavirus risk in the Caribbean is low after a cruise-ship cluster was reported, but urges vigilance. Youth Spotlight: Grenada’s National Youth Awards kick off June 16; nominations are open until May 15.

In the last 12 hours, Grenada’s Ministry of Youth and Sports announced details for the inaugural National Youth Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for June 16 at the Grenada Trade Centre (5:30 PM). The awards are framed under the theme “Legacy in Motion: Empowering Youth, Driving Transformation,” and the call for nominations has been extended to May 15, with submissions available via an online form. Separately, the most recent items provided in the feed are limited, so broader tech-sector or digital-policy developments in this exact 12-hour window are not strongly evidenced beyond the youth-awards announcement.

Over the prior 12–24 hours, the coverage includes a mix of national and regional items, but the Grenada-specific technology and development signals are more indirect. One notable continuity thread is that Grenada is simultaneously preparing for longer-term infrastructure and energy work (see below), while also engaging in public-facing initiatives and international cooperation. However, within the 12–24 hour slice itself, the provided evidence is sparse for major Grenada tech-policy breakthroughs.

From 24 to 72 hours ago, the strongest “tech-adjacent” development is energy and infrastructure planning tied to geothermal exploration. Coverage states that CDB is advancing Grenada’s geothermal programme into a critical decision phase, including an expanded drilling campaign at Mount St. Catherine. The plan shifts from originally planned slim exploration wells to wider directional drilling, with the project timeline extended to 2028, and is positioned as generating the technical evidence needed to decide on a geothermal power plant and, if results are favourable, move toward a competitive tender for private-sector investment. In parallel, Grenada’s geothermal work is also described as involving preparatory work and target locations around Mount St. Catherine, reinforcing that this is an ongoing, escalating effort rather than a one-off announcement.

Also in the 24–72 hour range, Grenada’s international market-readiness and digital/economic development themes show up through agriculture certification and trade outreach. FAO support is described as launching a GLOBALG.A.P. certification pilot for Grenadian soursop exporters—supporting two packhouses and ten farmers—to improve food safety compliance and export readiness. Meanwhile, the Grenada Tourism Authority’s UK sales mission is reported as strengthening trade and diaspora engagement, including participation in Virtuoso On Tour UK & Ireland. While these are not “technology” stories in the narrow sense, they reflect capacity-building and compliance steps that often underpin digital and export competitiveness.

Finally, the feed includes major non-technical but high-impact local coverage: multiple articles report the passing of journalist Linda Straker, including statements from Grenada’s Prime Minister and MWAG, and CMC reporting on her death after a prolonged illness. This cluster is corroborated across several entries, making it the clearest significant event in the broader week’s coverage—even though it is not directly tied to Grenada’s tech agenda.

In the last 12 hours, coverage in and around Grenada has been dominated by two policy/industry tracks and one public-life moment. The clearest development is progress on geothermal exploration: preparatory work is underway for an expanded drilling campaign targeting Mount Saint Catherine, with a shift to wider directional drilling and an extended timeline to 2028, aimed at generating the technical evidence needed for decisions on whether to proceed to a geothermal power plant. Separately, Grenada’s Prime Minister also issued a statement on the passing of journalist Linda Straker, describing her as a “fearless journalist” and a mainstay of the Grenadian media landscape.

The same 12-hour window also includes a Grenada-focused international outreach item: the Grenada Tourism Authority’s UK sales and outreach mission, led by CEO Stacey Liburd, which combined diaspora engagement and trade activations (including participation in “Virtuoso On Tour UK & Ireland”) to strengthen long-term visitor demand. While not framed as a single “breakthrough,” it signals continued effort to deepen market ties and leverage diaspora networks for tourism growth.

Beyond Grenada’s immediate headlines, the last 24 hours add corroboration on geothermal as a sustained priority. A Caribbean Development Bank update says it is advancing Grenada’s geothermal programme to a “critical decision phase,” launching the expanded drilling campaign at Mount St. Catherine and replacing originally planned slim exploration wells with deeper, wider rotary wells using directional drilling—funded in part by a GBP 10 million contribution from the UK’s FCDO made in 2025. In the same period, Grenada-related administrative and recognition items appear in the form of nominations guidance for the King’s Honours List 2027, suggesting ongoing institutional processes rather than a single event.

In the broader 3–7 day range, coverage shows continuity in Grenada’s development agenda and media ecosystem. On the development side, FAO support is highlighted for a targeted certification pilot to help Grenadian soursop exporters move toward GLOBALG.A.P. certification (supporting two packhouses and ten farmers), framed as a shift from capacity building to market-oriented compliance and export readiness. On the media side, multiple articles across the week mourn Linda Straker’s death, including statements from MWAG and CMC, reinforcing that her passing is a major local news focus with strong institutional corroboration.