Born in Barranquilla and now based in Toronto, Lido Pimienta has never had to choose between her home regions, her artistic disciplines, or her cultural heritages. On the eve of the release of Caribenya, her fourth studio album, tells the story of an artist who has transformed displacement, difference, and imposed labels into her own personal language.
Lido Pimienta: A Voice That Defies Categorization
In the video by “Tóxica”, the first track unveiled from Caribenya, the colors burst forth as the cumbia carries lyrics directed against toxic friendships. The track perfectly encapsulates Lido Pimienta’s approach: making people dance without sugarcoating what needs to be said. Her label describes the album as a work guided by connection, resistance, and the desire to break new sonic ground.
This freedom did not come about through a linear journey. It took root in Barranquilla, a city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, with a mother of Wayuu descent. She has also publicly asserted her Afro-Colombian and Indigenous identity. In her late teens, she left Colombia for Canada, where she had to rebuild her sense of self and find her place in a new music scene.
Before winning any awards, Lido Pimienta found her first sense of freedom in Barranquilla’s punk and hardcore scenes. There, she came to understand that music can be at once a refuge, a means of self-expression, and a form of resistance. This experience helps explain why her work subsequently rejects the distinction between the personal, the political, and the collective.
From Barranquilla to Toronto: Creating Your Own Space
For her, migration is not merely a backdrop to her life story. It shapes a body of work that bridges multiple languages, memories, and traditions. In this work, electronic music can meet cumbia, Afro-Colombian rhythms, orchestral composition, or songs tied to her ancestry. Rather than choosing one identity over another, the artist creates a dialogue among them according to her own rules.
The first major turning point comes with *La Papessa*. In 2017, the album won the Polaris Music Prize, awarded to the best Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label. Upon receiving the award, Lido Pimienta emphasizes that her work is not sung in English or French, yet it is very much present. This recognition confirms that an independent Spanish-speaking voice can make its mark without having to translate or dilute its identity.
Miss Colombia: Between Love and Disagreement
With Miss Colombia, released in 2020, she takes an unflinching look at her homeland. The album celebrates Colombian cultures while examining racism, misogyny, and the erasure of Black and Indigenous legacies. This tension between attachment and anger is what gives the album its power. Miss Colombia went on to receive a nomination at the 2021 Grammy Awards in the Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album category.
However, Lido Pimienta does not build her world through sound alone. Her work extends to performance and the visual arts. Costumes, colors, bodies, and set design all contribute to the storytelling. Each project thus becomes a complete world, designed to be heard but also seen. This mastery of imagery allows her to portray femininity, motherhood, desire, and memory without subjecting them to the industry’s usual conventions.
From *La Belleza* to *Caribenya*: Rejecting Repetition
In 2025, La Belleza marks a new direction. Conceived with a 66-piece orchestra, the album allows him to explore orchestral composition and challenge the boundaries that often confine non-white artists to the “world music” category alone. So Lido Pimienta isn’t trying to replicate the success of Miss Colombia; rather, she continues to expand the creative space she has carved out for herself.
Caribenya, scheduled for July 17, 2026, is taking a more physical direction. Originally conceived as an extension of La Belleza, the project became a standalone album, presented as the spiritual successor to Miss Colombia. Resistance there also takes the form of joy, dance, and moments of escape. This choice serves as a reminder that commitment is not expressed solely through seriousness.
A Unique Place in the Contemporary Caribbean
Lido Pimienta’s strength ultimately lies in her constant refusal to downplay herself in order to fit into an existing category. She brings to light a Caribbean that is continental, Colombian, and diasporic, without claiming to speak for the entire region. From Barranquilla to Toronto, her journey shows that an artist can embody multiple worlds without sacrificing any of them. With Caribenya, a new question arises: now that she has created her own space, how far will she choose to expand it?
Lido Pimienta is a singer, songwriter, visual artist, and performer born in Barranquilla, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Based in Canada, she creates work that draws on her Colombian roots, her experience with migration, electronic music, and Afro-Colombian rhythms.
Lido Pimienta embodies a continental, Colombian, and diasporic Caribbean perspective that has yet to receive much attention in French-language media. She blends multiple languages, disciplines, and traditions without compromising her identity to fit into the music industry’s categories. Her projects combine music, performance, costumes, and visual arts.
Caribenya marks a new chapter in Lido Pimienta’s career. The album continues her exploration of memory, resistance, and Caribbean heritage, while giving more space to dance, desire, and joy. It showcases an artist who continues to expand her artistic universe without simply repeating her previous successes.
The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean marked an important milestone for several Afrodescendant and indigenous communities in the region. Meeting in San Andrés, the summit resulted in the official handover of the San Andrés Declaration, the Constitutional Act and the Action Plan of the Confederation of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean. This step forward provides a more solid political framework for a regional dynamic driven by representatives of the Raizal, Garifuna, Miskito, Creole and other peoples of the Western Basin.
With this confederation, the 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean reaches a milestone. The San Andrés meeting is no longer confined to speaking collectively. It establishes a common structure designed to carry regional priorities on connectivity, rights, culture, the economy, education, the environment and governance.
The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean: a regional organization taking shape
The significance of the summit lies first and foremost in what it formalizes. The creation of the Confederation of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean gives greater continuity to a process that has been underway since the first edition. It also strengthens the political weight of communities that share similar realities: marginalization, economic fragility, pressure on territories, cultural invisibilization and the need for regional representation.
San Andrés is a highly symbolic place. The archipelago occupies a strategic position in the Western Caribbean and is a central space for the Raizal people. The choice of this territory gives the summit a strong historical and regional significance, recalling the ancient links between the islands, the coasts and the peoples who live in this maritime space.
The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean thus puts forward a reading of the region based on the communities themselves. This approach puts the focus back on languages, maritime circulation, shared heritages, local exchanges and forms of organization specific to the territories concerned.
A roadmap focused on traffic, the economy and the regions
One of the strengths of the 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean lies in its concrete content. The declaration identifies several priorities: strengthening sea and air routes, reducing logistics costs, facilitating regional trade, supporting community businesses and consolidating local production chains. Artisanal fishing, subsistence farming, the bioeconomy and sustainable tourism all feature prominently in this vision.
This orientation gives the summit a very practical scope. Regional issues are addressed from the angle of the movement of people, goods, know-how and opportunities. For regions that are often faced with isolation, high costs and strong external dependencies, this economic roadmap carries real weight.
The declaration also provides for more advanced cooperation mechanisms on trade, investment, logistics and institutional coordination. The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean thus gives a central place to economic autonomy and the ability of communities to better master their own exchange circuits.
Ancestral languages and collective memory: a major focus of the summit
The question of language plays an important role in the decisions taken at San Andrés. Creole, Miskito, Garifuna and other regional languages are presented as essential components of the identity of the peoples of the Western Caribbean. Their intergenerational transmission, their presence in education and their institutional recognition are among the objectives selected. The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean gives a strong signal here. In this region, language directly affects memory, culture, collective dignity and the relationship with the territory. Its preservation is therefore a key political and cultural choice.
The declaration also raises the possibility of wider recognition of ancestral languages as intangible heritage. This perspective reinforces the role of culture in the structuring of the San Andrés regional project.
Climate, historical justice and artificial intelligence in the regional program
The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean also articulates historical issues and very current challenges. The communities gathered in San Andrés recall the lasting effects of structural racism, political exclusion, territorial dispossession and violence suffered in several territories of the region. The declaration clearly places the issue of historical reparation and the protection of collective rights on the regional agenda.
The environment is also one of the summit’s key issues. The peoples of the western Caribbean are presented as the historical guardians of fragile territories, exposed to hurricanes, ecosystem degradation and the effects of climate disruption. The response defended in San Andrés is based on biodiversity, traditional knowledge, community resilience and forms of production compatible with local balances.
Another key topic is technology. The declaration devotes several passages to artificial intelligence, algorithmic bias, data mining and new digital inequalities. It introduces the notion of ethnocodification, presented as a regional approach designed to adapt technologies to the cultural, linguistic and territorial realities of the peoples concerned. This section gives the 2ᵉ People’s Summit of the Western Caribbean a particularly contemporary dimension.
San Andrés opens a new phase
The main political outcome of the 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean lies in this desire for lasting organization. With the confederation, the peoples gathered in San Andrés now have a more structured framework to carry their positions on connectivity, territories, languages, trade, rights and regional governance. The summit also gives greater visibility to a Western Caribbean often relegated to official narratives. Here, communities are speaking out about their future, their priorities and how they can have a greater say in regional debates. This development gives San Andrés a special place in the recent history of Caribbean cooperation.
The next edition, scheduled to take place in Bocas del Toro, Panama, confirms this desire for continuity. The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean thus leaves a clear political signal: the Western Caribbean is getting organized, specifying its priorities and intends to count more in defining its regional future.
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The 2ᵉ People’s Summit of the Western Caribbean is a regional meeting bringing together representatives of Afrodescendant and indigenous communities, as well as institutional and academic players, around the issues of integration, culture, economy and governance in the region.
The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean led to the creation of the Confederation of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean, accompanied by an official declaration and an action plan structuring regional cooperation.
The 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean marks a step forward in the political structuring of the region’s peoples, giving them a common framework to carry their economic, cultural, environmental and institutional priorities.
The 2ᵉ Peoples Summit of the Western Caribbean addressed key topics such as regional connectivity, local economic development, preservation of ancestral languages, historical justice, climate management and issues related to technology and artificial intelligence.
The next step announced after the 2ᵉ Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean is the organization of a third edition, planned for Bocas del Toro in Panama, to continue structuring and cooperation between the peoples of the region.
Located in the western Caribbean Sea, San Andrés is a Colombian territory in a class of its own. Closer to Nicaragua than to the South American continent, the island has a singular island identity, shaped by its maritime history, Afro-Caribbean culture and strategic role in the region. For travellers, San Andrés represents a structured, clear destination with a strong maritime orientation.
The island covers some 26 km². Its modest size makes it easy to get around and quickly grasp its organization. Coastal roads, residential areas and natural zones follow one another seamlessly, giving the whole a territorial coherence that visitors appreciate.
A Colombian island in the heart of the western Caribbean
Although administratively attached to Colombia, San Andrés belongs fully to the English-speaking and Creole-speaking Caribbean. The local population, known as raizal, retains cultural traditions linked to the British Caribbean: Creole language, musical and culinary practices, community organization. This hybrid identity – Colombian in administration, Caribbean in culture – is one of the island’s distinguishing features. It is reflected in daily life, trade and religious practices.
It is also a strategic point in the region, located some 190 kilometers off the coast of Nicaragua. This geographical position reinforces its historical and maritime importance in the Western Caribbean.
The sea as a central element
The image most associated with San Andrés remains that of the “sea of seven colors”. This expression refers to the variations in blue and turquoise visible around the island, linked to the depth of the water, the sandy seabed and the coral reefs. The phenomenon is particularly visible from the east coast and high points along the coastline. The coral reef that partially surrounds the island protects certain areas and supports significant marine biodiversity. The archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina is part of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO for its ecological richness.
This close relationship with the sea underpins all aspects of island life: artisanal fishing, maritime transport, nautical activities and seaside tourism.
An accessible, organized region
The main urban center of San Andrés is built around the port and shopping area. Hotels, shops and services are concentrated along the northern coastline. Residential areas and quieter zones are spread out to the south and inland. The Gustavo Rojas Pinilla international airport provides regular flights to Bogotá, Medellín, Panama and other regional destinations. This accessibility partly explains the island’s constant tourist numbers.
Despite all this traffic, San Andrés has kept its organization simple: one main road circles the island, making it possible to cover the whole area in just a few hours. This configuration makes it easy to get around and provides a clear overview of the territory.
An economy largely driven by tourism
Tourism is the main economic engine of San Andrés. Hotels, restaurants, nautical activities and duty-free shops structure the local economy. The island benefits from the status of a commercial free zone, which also attracts visitors who come to shop. However, fishing and public services continue to play an important role in the local economy. The cohabitation of tourism and daily life is clearly visible, particularly in the residential areas and markets.
Between frequentation and preservation
The popularity of San Andrés raises the question of the balance between tourist numbers and the protection of natural resources. Local and national authorities have introduced measures to preserve coral reefs and regulate certain tourist flows. The archipelago’s inclusion in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve is part of this approach.
For visitors, this translates into a destination that’s alive and kicking, but still easy to understand. The island is more than just a seaside resort: it remains an inhabited territory, with its own rhythms and constraints.
A unique island Caribbean
Highlight San Andrés is to present an island that exemplifies Caribbean diversity. A Colombian territory but with an Afro-Caribbean culture, a tourist destination but an active island space, it combines several dimensions rarely found together in such a small area. For travelers, it offers a clear framework: a compact island, an omnipresent sea and a strong cultural identity. It provides a solid entry point for understanding the Western Caribbean and its interactions between geography, history and tourism.
San Andrés is a Colombian island in the western Caribbean Sea, close to Nicaragua.
It is renowned for its seven-colored sea, coral reefs and membership of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve.
The island is accessible by air from Bogotá, Medellín, Panama and several Caribbean cities.
On Colombia‘s Caribbean coast, Cartagena de Indias has established itself as one of the region’s most structuring areas. A port city founded in the XVIᵉ century, it has long been a strategic point for Spanish maritime trade. Today, it remains a major destination for travelers attracted by history, architecture and the Caribbean coastline.
Cartagena de Indias is more than just a seaside resort. It’s an active, inhabited city whose identity is built around its port, fortifications and historic districts. For visitors, it offers a direct view of the continental Caribbean and its heritage.
A port city at the heart of Caribbean history
Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias quickly became one of the Spanish Empire’s most important ports in the Americas. It served as an export point for the continent’s gold, silver and other resources, as well as a military center to protect the sea routes. The fortified city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, bears witness to this strategic importance. Ramparts, bastions and forts still encircle the historic center. These defensive structures, built to repel attacks by pirates and rival powers, give Cartagena its distinctive silhouette.
A stroll through the historic center reveals how the town was organized around the sea. Squares, churches, administrative buildings and colonial houses follow an urban plan that has remained largely intact.
Preserved, inhabited architecture
The historic heart of Cartagena de Indias is made up of several distinct districts: the fortified center, Getsemaní and the old port areas. Colorful facades, wooden balconies and cobbled streets form a coherent whole, where tourist activity blends with everyday life. Getsemaní, once a working-class port district, has undergone a cultural revival in recent years. Artists’ studios, cafés, lively squares and murals are all to be found here. This transformation has not erased the presence of local residents, maintaining a balance between tourist traffic and local life.
A constant relationship with the sea
The sea remains a structuring element for Cartagena de Indias. The modern port is home to cargo ships, cruise liners and fishing boats. The quays and coastal promenades offer a glimpse of the continuity between economic activity and the maritime landscape. A few dozen kilometers offshore, the archipelago of the Rosary Islands (Islas del Rosario) complete this relationship with the sea. These islets, part of a national nature park, are renowned for their clear waters and coral reefs. They are one of the main excursions for visitors wishing to get away from the city for a day.
A city on the move
With more than a million inhabitants in its urban area, Cartagena de Indias is also a bustling contemporary city. Modern districts, port areas and hotel infrastructures coexist with historic sectors. This overlapping of eras is part of its identity. Visitors can easily move from a colonial street to a modern avenue, from a local market to a marina. This diversity reinforces the impression of a living city, not stuck in the past.
Access and organization
Cartagena de Indias has an international airport well connected to the major cities of Latin America, the USA and Europe. From Rafael Núñez airport, the historic center can be reached in less than twenty minutes. The city is ideal for both short and longer stays. Discoveries can be organized around the historic center, contemporary neighborhoods, the coastline and sea excursions to nearby islands.
A key Caribbean destination
Highlighting Cartagena de Indias is to present a territory that encapsulates several essential dimensions of the Caribbean:
- – a central colonial history;
- – a major architectural heritage ;
- – a busy port city ;
- – direct access to the sea and islands.
For travelers, Cartagena is a solid point of entry to the continental Caribbean. It provides an insight into maritime traffic, historical exchanges and the evolution of the region’s port cities. Cartagena de Indias is not just a tourist destination. It’s a territory that tells the story of the Caribbean in its continuity, between memory and the present.
Cartagena de Indias is located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, in the north of the country, facing the Caribbean Sea.
Its fortified historic center, ramparts and colonial architecture bear witness to its strategic role in the maritime history of the Caribbean.
The busiest period is from December to April, when the climate is drier. Despite the high humidity, the city can be visited all year round.
A strategic conference in Trinidad and Tobago
The press conference held in Trinidad and Tobago on October 6, 2025, as part of the ACI-LAC 2025 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY – CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION, brought together the region’s leading airport industry executives. Around Mónica Infante (President of ACI-LAC and CEO of Aerodom), from the Dr. Rafael Echevarne (Managing Director, ACI-LAC) and Hayden Newton (Managing Director, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago), discussions focused on traffic growth, sustainability and the investments needed to support the growth of air transport in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ACI-LAC which stands for Airports Council International – Latin America & Caribbean, is the regional branch of the worldwide airport organization. It represents the interests of 91 members operating over 360 airports in 42 countries and territories in the region.
ACI World confirms record figures
Data released during the ACI-LAC 2025 Annual Meeting show that passenger traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean will reach 789 million passengers by the end of 2025.
The best-performing countries will be :
- – Colombia 105 million (+5.6%)
- – Mexico 191 million (+4.5%)
- – Brazil: 221 million (+2.1%)
The region (Latin America and the Caribbean) is expected to handle nearly 821 million passengers in 2026 according to official ACI World projections. These figures reflect the strength of the post-pandemic recovery and the Caribbean’s growing place in international connectivity.
Long-term forecasts and a global pace
Regional air traffic is expected to reach 1.725 billion passengers by 2053, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR – Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 2.9% over the next thirty years, a rate similar to the global average.
The ACI World report also states that traffic will double between 2024 and 2047, from 758 million to 1.482 billion passengers.
Annual growth projections by sub-region confirm :
- – Mexico: +3.4%, driven by the expansion of its international hubs ;
- – Brazil: +2.4%, sustained by growth in domestic traffic ;
- – Caribbean: +2%, more moderate growth, due to the small size of island markets, their dependence on tourism and the current limitations of inter-island connectivity;
- – Other Latin American countries (excluding Mexico and Brazil) : +3%, thanks to economic diversification and new regional air corridors.
Colossal investments for sustainable growth
Capital expenditure requirements (CAPEX) for the period 2026-2040 amount to US$82.6 billion, of which over US$30 billion will be devoted to the construction of new greenfield airports.
According to data from the ACI-LAC 2025 Annual Meeting, every million additional passengers generates 9,500 jobs and $25 million in GDP, demonstrating the direct economic impact of air transport on the region.
Carbon neutrality and accessibility: regional leadership
On the environmental front, speakers highlighted the results of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program at the ACI-LAC 2025 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY.
By September 2025, 621 airports worldwide were certified, including 104 in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region thus ranks second in the world for the number of airports committed to this approach.
This internationally recognized program assesses and rewards airports’ efforts to reduce their carbon emissions, in line with ACI World’s Net Zero 2050 objective.
The other indicator of progress concerns Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation (AEA): of the 47 airports certified worldwide, 17 are in the LAC region. This distinction confirms the role of the Caribbean and Latin America as world leaders in air accessibility for passengers with disabilities.
Connectivity and liberalization: the pillars of the future
Looking beyond the figures, Mónica Infante and Rafael Echevarne stressed the urgent need to strengthen intra-Caribbean connectivity.
For Mónica Infante, the priority is to break down regulatory barriers and create a framework enabling new regional airlines to operate freely.
For his part, Rafael Echevarne reiterated that air transport liberalization is essential to boost competition and reduce costs for passengers.
“Aviation is not just an economic sector, it’s a vital infrastructure for the integration and sustainable development of our territories,” he declared.
Finally, Hayden Newton underlined the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure through biometrics, automated systems and digital innovations.
The ACI-LAC 2025 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY confirmed the dynamic growth, innovation and sustainability of the airport sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
With solid forecasts, massive investment and a vision focused on carbon neutrality, the region is establishing itself as a model of resilience and transformation in global air transport.
A little-known island in the heart of the Caribbean
Isla de Providencia remains one of the most unique territories in the Caribbean. Located nearly 700 kilometers from the Colombian coast and just 200 kilometers from Nicaragua, it stands out for its geographical isolation and deep-rooted cultural identity. Far from the mass tourism that shapes the image of many Caribbean islands, it embodies a model of authenticity and preservation.
Its history has long been marked by piracy and smuggling. In the XVIIᵉ century, the island served as a strategic base for English privateers, notably Henry Morgan, who planned several attacks against the Spanish colonies. These tales have forged a collective memory that is still vivid, and give Isla de Providencia a special aura in the Caribbean imagination.
An exceptional natural heritage
The island is surrounded by the third largest coral reef in the world, classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000. This ecological wealth makes Isla de Providencia a sanctuary for marine fauna and a key territory in the fight to protect Caribbean biodiversity. The landscapes alternate between verdant mountains, golden sandy beaches and mangroves, forming a rare balance between nature and culture.
The presence of coral reefs, lagoons and endemic species is a reminder of the island’s importance in regulating marine ecosystems. For researchers and environmentalists, the island is a living laboratory of ecological resilience in the Caribbean. The conservation efforts made by the local population reinforce the island’s reputation as a place where nature is not just a backdrop, but a vital resource.
A plural cultural identity
The history of Isla de Providencia bears witness to the multiple influences that have shaped it. A former stronghold of the English colonists, marked by the presence of Africans and now part of Colombia, the island retains a lively English Creole language alongside Spanish. Traditional music, blending African rhythms, British tunes and Caribbean sounds, illustrates this unique cultural hybridity.
The island’s gastronomy is based on seafood and coconut milk. The black crab, an endemic species on the island, has become a culinary and identity symbol. Its fishing is governed by strict community rules to preserve the resource, demonstrating how local culture integrates sustainable practices. This collective management is an example of successful community governance, where tradition and modernity come together to serve the common good.
Resilience in the face of hardship
In November 2020, Isla de Providencia was hit by Hurricane Iota, the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the area. Nearly 98% of the island’s infrastructure was destroyed, including schools, hospitals, homes and energy networks. In the face of this disaster, the island has embarked on a gradual reconstruction, with the support of the diaspora, NGOs and the Colombian government.
This resilience illustrates the ability of island communities to overcome disasters while affirming their determination to protect their natural and cultural heritage. Inhabitants have opted for environmentally-friendly reconstruction, using more resistant materials and infrastructures designed to limit the impact of future cyclones. Today, despite the difficulties, the island is a model of rebirth in the Caribbean.
Confidential, sustainable tourism
Unlike its neighbor San Andrés, Isla de Providencia has opted for limited tourism development. A handful of family-run hotels and guesthouses welcome visitors, in a spirit of respect for social and environmental balance. The locals, who are very involved in the organization of hospitality, make tourism a complementary activity rather than a dominant industry.
This strategic orientation protects the island from the excesses of mass tourism and ensures a better distribution of income within the community. It also positions the island as a benchmark for responsible tourism in the Caribbean, attracting a public in search of authenticity and meaning. This measured approach helps to maintain a close bond between the island’s inhabitants and their territory, avoiding the excesses seen elsewhere.
Historical and strategic roots
Isla de Providencia ‘s importance extends beyond its island setting. During colonization, it was a strategic point for European powers in the Caribbean Sea. Spanish attempts to recapture the island from English colonists bear witness to its geopolitical value. Today, this memory is reflected in the ruins, oral histories and traditions that remind us that the Caribbean was a place of confrontation, but also of cross-fertilization.
This historical heritage, far from being static, is mobilized by the inhabitants as a lever of identity and tourism. Isla de Providencia is more than just a landscape; it’s also a place where history is embodied in everyday life, through language, music and social practices.
A Caribbean off the beaten track
Isla de Providencia illustrates another facet of the Caribbean: a discreet island, driven by its history, marked by climatic challenges, but determined to preserve what makes it unique. With its past as a land of privateers, its rich natural heritage and its resilience in the face of disasters, it symbolizes a Caribbean that looks to the future without denying its roots.
Highlighting the island shows that there are territories in the region that successfully combine cultural identity, historical memory and sustainable strategies. It embodies a more intimate Caribbean, where the balance between man and nature is not a slogan but a lived reality.
COP30: this name refers to the 30ᵉ Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held from November 10 to 21, 2025 in Belém, Brazil. Held for the first time in the heart of the Amazon, this international conference will bring together more than 190 national delegations, heads of state, NGOs, scientists and representatives of civil society to negotiate urgent measures to deal with worsening climate disruption.
This geographic choice marks a turning point: the world’s largest tropical forest becomes both the backdrop and the focus of discussions. Faced with record levels of deforestation, loss of biodiversity and growing pressure from the extractive industries, COP30 aims to redefine the priorities in the fight against climate change by placing the protection of ecosystems at the heart of international commitments.
Curupira: an ancient spirit for the challenges of the future
To embody this decisive edition, Brazil has chosen a figure from indigenous legends: Curupira the mythical guardian of the Amazon rainforest. Far from being a consensual symbol, this character embodies a form of resistance. In Tupi-Guarani tradition, he is depicted as a small man with red hair and upturned feet, capable of outwitting intruders and fiercely defending his territory.
His name, formed from the words “curumin” (boy) and “pira” (body), evokes both childhood and vitality. Curupira is no mere folkloric character: he is deeply rooted in the collective memory of the forest peoples, and his influence extends beyond Brazil’s borders.
In French Guiana, it takes the name Makilili. In Colombia, it becomes Madre Monte. In Ecuador, it’s known as Sachamama, the mother of trees. In the Peruvian Amazon, it is known as Chullachaqui. In Suriname and Guyana, he is referred to as Winti-boskopu or Watramama. All these avatars fulfill the same mission: to protect the forest from predators.
A shared territory, a common emergency
The Amazon covers more than five million square kilometers and crosses nine countries: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana. This vast territory is home to some 34 million inhabitants, including hundreds of indigenous peoples, often on the front line of the effects of extractivist policies and the climate crisis.
By choosing Curupira as its official mascot, COP30 is sending out a strong signal: the recognition of ancestral knowledge and local struggles, and the full involvement of Amazonian populations in global debates.
COP30: objectives, tensions and expectations
COP30 promises to be a strategic moment in international climate governance. Several crucial issues will be addressed in Belém:
- ✔️ Implementing a fair energy transition, with concrete support for the most vulnerable populations.
- ✔️ The creation of a global fund to preserve tropical forests, with announced support from China.
- ✔️ The aim is to mobilize $1,300 billion a year by 2035 to finance adaptation to climate change.
- ✔️ Sensitive negotiations around the reduction of fossil fuels, in a country like Brazil, a major oil producer.
These challenges are compounded by strong popular pressure. Brazilian civil society, researchers and indigenous organizations expect ambitious decisions. In this context, Curupira is not just a symbol: it has become the voice of an Amazon that is demanding its place at the negotiating table.
And what about the Caribbean?
The Caribbean territories are participating fully in COP30, as members of the Framework Convention and representatives of the Small Island Developing States. They include Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Why is their presence essential? Because these countries, although low emitters of greenhouse gases, are bearing the full brunt of climate change: increasingly violent cyclones, rising sea levels, water stress, coastal erosion and the collapse of marine biodiversity.
For the Caribbean, COP30 is an opportunity to advocate specific financing mechanisms tailored to their vulnerability, as well as to showcase their often innovative local initiatives in resilience, sustainable agriculture and risk management.
An educational and symbolic device around Curupira
Not every climate conference has had a mascot, but Curupira marks a breakthrough. At COP28, a sea turtle symbolized the fragility of marine ecosystems. But until now, no figure had embodied a protective force rooted in popular belief.
Curupira is to be presented in the form of educational and symbolic objects: posters, educational games, school events and workshops in the “citizens’ villages” running parallel to the official conference. This choice aims to raise awareness of global climate issues among a wider public, especially young people, through a figure from the collective imagination.
Curupira, the Amazon's red alert to the world
Through Curupira, COP30 is reminding us that the answers to ecological crises will not only come from laboratories or ministries. They will also require listening to local communities, recognizing local knowledge and redefining our relationship with living things.
By setting up its debates in the Amazon, COP30 is opening a new chapter. For the Caribbean, as for the Amazonian countries, it’s a question of transforming a long-marginalized voice into a lever for global decision-making. And perhaps by looking Curupira in the eye, leaders will understand that the forest is not asking for charity. It demands respect.
Ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean is undergoing a major transformation with the activation of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM). This PROCARIBE+ initiative marks a decisive step forward for the sustainable management of marine resources, a strategic priority for the region’s maritime and economic professionals. Ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean is a vital issue that deserves all our attention, especially in a context where environmental challenges are increasingly pressing.
A crucial challenge for Caribbean maritime players
The Caribbean maritime sector relies on rich and varied marine ecosystems, which support essential industries such as fishing, shipping and coastal tourism. However, these resources face increasing threats from pollution, overexploitation and the impacts of climate change. These challenges make the need for effective governance even more urgent. The establishment of the CMO aims to improve regional coordination to meet these challenges and ensure the economic viability of maritime activities. Thus, ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean is becoming an imperative for local stakeholders, who must navigate a complex and constantly evolving environment.
A structured action program
The CMO is based on three major axes to strengthen ocean governance:
- Harmonization of Maritime Policies
The CMO facilitates the alignment of national regulations with regional and international ocean management commitments. This harmonization is essential to optimize cooperation between states and ensure sustainable exploitation of marine resources. It is crucial that every country in the region understands the importance of this harmonization. Ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean requires a coherent legislative framework that is respected by all.
- A Monitoring Mechanism for Marine Ecosystems
A continuous monitoring system is being set up to assess the state of the oceans and the effectiveness of conservation measures. This monitoring will enable decision-makers and businesses to adapt their strategies in line with environmental and economic developments. Ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean relies on reliable, up-to-date data. It also requires transparent reporting and clear communication between all stakeholders.
- Developing a Resilient Blue Economy
The CMO encourages a sustainable approach to maritime activities by promoting innovative economic models that integrate ecosystem protection. The blue economy represents a considerable opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors wishing to reconcile economic growth with ocean preservation. The governance of the oceans in the Greater Caribbean must also include this economic dimension, by supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development while ensuring business profitability.
PROCARIBE+'s role in this initiative
PROCARIBE+ is a regional program that actively supports the implementation of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM). It follows on from the CLME+ project and aims to strengthen integrated ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean. Its aim is to foster effective collaboration between states, intergovernmental organizations and economic players to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
PROCARIBE+ rests on several pillars:
- The inclusion of Caribbean states and territories in the decision-making process to ensure better regional coordination.
- Support for environmental policies, bringing national regulations into line with international commitments for coherent ocean management.
- Financing and resource mobilization, by attracting investment and facilitating access to international funds for marine protection.
- Technological innovation and research, encouraging the development of modern solutions for monitoring marine ecosystems and the transition to a sustainable blue economy.
With PROCARIBE+, ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean benefits from a strengthened structure, guaranteeing better management of marine resources and a more effective response to environmental challenges.
What impact for Caribbean companies and states?
The activation of the CMO represents a strategic opportunity for companies in the maritime sector:
Sustainable fishing :
The adoption of new regulations to guarantee the replenishment of fish stocks and ensure the sustainability of the sector is a priority. This includes the introduction of fishing quotas and closed seasons to allow fish populations to reproduce.
Sea transport :
Strengthening port infrastructures and bringing them into line with international standards is essential to attracting more investment. Modern, efficient ports can serve as engines of growth for local economies.
Coastal tourism :
Implementing sustainable practices to preserve the beaches and coral reefs that guarantee the attractiveness of the region is crucial. Sustainable tourism can also help raise visitor awareness of the importance of marine conservation.
Funding and partnerships :
Mobilizing international funding and encouraging collaboration between public and private players are necessary to accelerate maritime innovation. Partnerships between governments and the private sector can help create innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Challenges and prospects
Despite these advances, a number of challenges remain:
- Regional coordination : Effective cooperation between different states and intergovernmental organizations is essential. The diversity of national policies can sometimes hinder the harmonization required for effective governance.
- Limited resources : Financing the implementation of marine protection policies without hampering economic development remains a challenge. Governments need to find ways of financing these initiatives while maintaining economic growth.
- Stakeholder engagement : Raising awareness and involving local stakeholders in responsible ocean management is essential to ensure the success of initiatives. Community participation can strengthen conservation efforts.
- Innovative technologies : Integrating new technological solutions to improve the effectiveness of conservation policies and optimize the use of marine resources is a key challenge. Technologies can contribute to data collection and ecosystem monitoring.
- Education and training : Developing specialized training programs for professionals in the maritime sector, to enhance skills and promote sustainable use of ocean resources, is essential. Education plays a crucial role in transforming attitudes towards marine resources.
The activation of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism represents a decisive turning point for ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean. By optimizing the management of marine resources, this initiative strengthens the resilience of island economies and offers the region’s professionals new prospects for sustainable growth. The future of the Caribbean maritime sector will depend on the ability of states and companies to take advantage of this dynamic to reconcile economic exploitation with environmental preservation.
Through close collaboration between governments, institutions and economic players, the region will be able to build an exemplary model of maritime governance, guaranteeing a prosperous future for generations to come. Ocean governance in the Greater Caribbean is more than a necessity, it is a commitment for the future, and it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to meet the challenges ahead.
Royal Caribbeana major player in the cruise industry, joins forces with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) to promote the sustainable growth of tourism in this paradise region. This month, a landmark event took place in Miami, the Caribbean Weekend, bringing together tourism ministers, executives and other key players to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
An iconic tourism summit
The event, entitled “Envisioning Caribbean Tourism: An Iconic Summit”, was held on board Royal Caribbean‘s latest ship, the icon of the Seas. The meeting initiated vital discussions on job creation, sustainability and community engagement. Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, opened the proceedings, emphasizing the importance of the cruise industry to the Caribbean economy.
” The Caribbean is the soul of Royal Caribbean. Around 60% of our business comes from this region,” he said, emphasizing the deep ties between the company and the islands.
Royal Caribbean's commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is a central theme of this initiative. Bayley reaffirmed Royal Caribbean’s commitment to reducing its ecological footprint. Among the initiatives presented was the use of biofuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power its ships. This demonstrates a commitment to meeting environmental challenges while continuing to support the local economy.
Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman of the CTO and Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, also stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration in achieving these goals. “We need to work together to reinvent the future of tourism in the Caribbean,” he said.
Employment opportunities and local sourcing
Royal Caribbean is also committed to creating employment opportunities for the people of the Caribbean. Bayley has highlighted the need to improve supply chain systems to support local producers. Working hand-in-hand with local ministries, the company aims to develop cooperatives that would facilitate the supply of fresh produce for its ships.
He also mentioned the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation’s cadet program, which enables talented young people to train and take part in the maritime industry. The story of a female officer from the Bahamas, who sailed aboard the Icon of the Seas, was particularly inspiring for participants.
The importance of partnerships
The summit highlighted the vital role of partnerships in transforming the tourism industry. Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary General of the CTO, expressed her gratitude to Royal Caribbean for its ongoing commitment. She said, “This iconic summit underscores the power of partnerships and collaboration. We need to reimagine our approach to tourism development.”
Royal Caribbean is also committed to strengthening exchanges and communication between the industry’s various stakeholders. This includes a better understanding of the needs and challenges of Caribbean communities, to ensure that tourism development benefits all.
Royal Caribbean's vision for the future
As Royal Caribbean prepares to launch its next ship, Star of the Sea, Bayley reassured attendees that the Caribbean will continue to be at the heart of its operations. The company is committed to investing in the region, creating a future where sustainable growth and the economic well-being of the Caribbean are paramount.
Supporting sustainability initiatives and promoting local culture are key elements of this vision. This involves not only financial investment, but also a long-term commitment to local communities.
A promising future for tourism
The Miami meeting was a pivotal moment for the Caribbean tourism sector. Thanks to the collaboration between Royal Caribbean and the CTO, new opportunities for sustainable growth are on the horizon. The discussions held at the summit should serve as a springboard for future initiatives, aimed at ensuring that tourism in the Caribbean is both economically viable and environmentally friendly.
By further integrating local stakeholders into the development process and adopting sustainable practices, Royal Caribbean is proving that it is possible to combine pleasure and responsibility. The future of tourism in the Caribbean looks bright, and with a strong commitment and solid partnerships, it’s likely that this region will continue to shine on the world tourism stage.
Christmas in the Caribbean is a unique time of celebration, filled with colorful traditions and tasty dishes. The Caribbean islands are known for their festive atmosphere, and cuisine is at the heart of these festivities. The magic of Christmas in this region is palpable, with bright decorations, joyful carols and, above all, dishes that awaken the senses. In this article, we’ll explore four iconic recipes that make Christmas unforgettable: lambi or grilled fish with sosé, Great cake, Christmas ham tuiles and nwel ham.
1. Lambi or grilled fish with sosé
Ingredients
- Lambi or fish of your choice
- Local spices
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Onions
Preparation
- Cleaning the lambi: If you use lambi, clean it thoroughly to remove all sand and impurities.
- Marinade: Marinate lambi or fish with local spices to enhance flavours.
- Grilling: Grill on the barbecue or in a frying pan, taking care to cook thoroughly.
- To prepare the sauce: In a saucepan, sauté the onions, tomatoes and peppers with the spices, then add water and simmer until cooked through.
This tasty dish, often served with rice or vegetables, is a staple of Christmas tables in the Caribbean, symbolizing the richness of local maritime resources.
2. Great cake
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried fruit
- 113.4 g nuts (almonds or peanuts)
- 227 g sugar
- 227 g flour
- 6 eggs
- Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
Preparation
- Fruit preparation: Wash and dry the fruit, then soak it in alcohol for several months for a rich taste.
- Caramel: Melt the sugar to a caramel-like consistency. Add it to the mixture.
- Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the sugar and margarine, then add the eggs one by one.
- Adding fruit and nuts: Add fruit and nuts to the dough.
- Baking: Pour into a baking tin and bake at 300°F for about 2 hours 30 minutes.
The large cake, often rich in flavor and alcohol, is a tradition that brings warmth and conviviality to festivities. It is often served at family gatherings and is a symbol of Caribbean hospitality.
3. Nwel ham
Ingredients
- 1 Christmas ham
- Red sugar
- Spicy sauce (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.)
- Pineapple
Preparation
- Defrosting: Make sure the ham is completely defrosted before starting to prepare it.
- Caramel: Melt the sugar in a pan until you obtain a golden caramel.
- Brushing: Brush the ham with the caramel and add the spicy sauce.
- Baking: Bake at 180°C for 30 to 40 minutes, basting regularly to keep the ham juicy.
Jamon nwel is usually the main course at Christmas meals, representing celebration and family unity. It is usually served with side dishes such as mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
4. Christmas ham tiles
Ingredients
- Brick pastry
- Christmas ham
- Unsalted butter, melted
Preparation
- Dehydrating ham: Dehydrate the ham and crumble it into fine crumbs to obtain the perfect texture.
- To prepare the brick pastry sheets: Place the ham crumbs in brick pastry sheets, previously brushed with melted butter.
- Cooking: Brown the tiles in a non-stick frying pan or in the oven until crisp and golden.
These crunchy tuiles are the perfect start to a festive meal, adding a crunchy touch to any celebration. Served with a spicy sauce or fruit jam, they’re sure to delight your guests.
The flavors of Christmas in the Caribbean are a sensory experience that delights the taste buds. Whether it’s crispy ham tuiles, savory lambi, rich grand gâteau or fragrant nwel ham, each dish tells a story of tradition and conviviality. Not only are these recipes delicious, they also bring invaluable warmth to family Christmas gatherings. Each of these culinary creations evokes memories and shared moments, making every Christmas even more memorable.
