Caribbean

Caribbean: Passports Needed to Return to U.S.

Date: January 18th, 2007 |

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Beginning Jan. 23, Americans flying into the U.S. from Caribbean islands, Mexico or Canada will have to arrive with a passport to be allowed entry. Prior to that, traveling with only a driver’s license will be adequate. The change came about as a security measure mandated by the U.S. Homeland Security and State departments. The [read more]

Jamaica: Tourism Boost Expected Despite High Crime

Date: December 26th, 2006 |

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Despite a soaring crime rate and a high-profile tourist murder in August in Montego Bay, Jamaica expects an increase in visitors this winter. Most tourists stay in the north coast resorts of Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios, where there are relatively few murders compared to the Kingston area and the rest of the island. [read more]

Trinidad and Tobago: Crime Threatening Justice System

Date: December 6th, 2006 |

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The U.S. Ambassador spoke out about high crime in the islands Nov. 29 and vowed that the U.S. government would do everything possible to bring to justice criminals who harm Americans. Local officials are concerned that the justice system is falling apart because of disappearing witnesses and refusal of people to testify in court. Because [read more]

Caribbean: Break-ins at Vacation Rentals a Growing Problem

Date: October 31st, 2006 |

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According to an Oct. 29 report in the Washington Post, break-ins at small hotels and vacation rentals on various Caribbean islands is a growing problem. Statistics are hard to find but local press reports suggest that the crime has occurred with increasing frequency in the past two years when prior to that it was almost [read more]

Caribbean: Island Nations May Ban U.S. Citizens without Passports

Date: October 10th, 2006 |

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Caribbean island nations are considering banning Americans without passports in response to recent amendments to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative passed by the U.S. Congress. The initiative requires all Americans traveling to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean to have a valid U.S. passport and goes into effect Jan. 8, 2007. The recent amendments, however, delay [read more]

Montserrat: Soufriere Hills Volcano Erupts

Date: January 10th, 2007 |

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The Soufriere Hills volcano sent a plum of ash five miles high Jan. 8 after authorities warned Jan. 4 that the volcano’s dome had topped the crater rim. Areas around the volcano are at risk and the government has ordered evacuations, but since the capital city of Plymouth was inundated by a massive eruption in [read more]

Jamaica: First Malaria Cases in 50 Years

Date: December 13th, 2006 |

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The first outbreak of malaria since the 1950s has occurred in and around Kingston, with 13 cases confirmed. Authorities are testing residents within a one-kilometer radius of all cases and taking action to eradicate mosquitoes in the affected area, including cleaning up places where mosquitoes breed. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends [read more]

St. Maarten: Convictions in Gay-Bashing Case

Date: November 7th, 2006 |

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The case of a brutal tire-iron attack on two CBS News employees in St. Maarten April 6 came to a close Nov. 2 when a judge convicted four French nationals and sentenced one to six years, two to three years, and one to six months in prison. Three are from the French half of St. [read more]

Cayman Islands: Hassling of Tourists Condemned

Date: October 31st, 2006 |

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Hassling of tourists on Grand Cayman streets and beaches is becoming a problem, according to the tourism ministry and local tour operators. They are encouraging all taxi drivers and tourism workers to help put a stop to it, recognizing that failing to reduce it could push tourists to take their business elsewhere. Compared to many [read more]

Bermuda: Hurricane Florence Does Little Damage

Date: September 12th, 2006 |

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Hurricane Florence swept over Bermuda Sept. 11 but did far less damage than expected. The storm blew down utility poles and knocked out power to about half the island at one point, but caused no major injuries and damaged few [read more]