ECCB Monetary Policy: Dominica’s Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre took over as chair of the ECCB Monetary Council, pledging to protect the financial well-being of the ECCU’s 650,000+ people amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty. CARICOM Membership & Trade: Martinique officially joined CARICOM as the seventh associate member after a decade-long process, gaining the right to attend CARICOM meetings and summits. Regional Humanitarian Logistics: CARICOM shipped 88 containers of relief supplies to earthquake-hit Venezuela, including water tanks, medicines, food and earth-moving equipment, with delivery expected within days. Affordability & Supply Chains: CARICOM leaders and the private sector agreed on measures to cut import costs and trade barriers, improve regional transport links, and push a private-sector regional ferry framework to ease freight pressures. Border Security & Vetting: The U.S. DHS signed a landmark biometric data-sharing memorandum with CARICOM IMPACS to strengthen border security and immigration vetting across member states. Labour Compliance: Saint Lucia’s Department of Labour met private security providers to improve compliance with labour laws after recurring complaints on wages, overtime and termination practices. CBI Under EU Pressure: Eastern Caribbean leaders agreed to coordinate a response to the EU’s CBI concerns, including a high-level mission to Brussels, while CARICOM chair Philip J. Pierre said CBI wasn’t collectively discussed at the St. Lucia heads meeting. Travel Rules Watch: Germany published its 2026 list of 62 visa-free countries for short stays, while the UK reaffirmed visa requirements for Nigerians and many other nationalities.