CARIBBEAN NEWS: November 15th – 21st, 2014

HAITI DEFEATS MARTINIQUE AT CARRIBEAN CUP—11/15/14
Haiti took advantage of weather-based problems to gain a victory over Martinique 3 to 0 at its first 2014 Caribbean Cup finals win in Group B. The play occurred under wet conditions at the Sports Complex in Montego Bay. The win puts Haiti in first place provisionally, with a four-point lead over Martinique.

MAYOR OF NEW YORK SIGNS BILL TO LIMIT CARIBBEAN IMMIGRANT DEPORTATIONS—11/16/14
In New York, Mary Bill de Blasio signed two bills designed to put substantial limits on the ability of the federal government to deport undocumented immigrants from the Caribbean and other regions from New York City. One law will allow the city to refuse to hand over immigrants in the criminal justice system to agents of the federal government.

HAITI, CUBA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SIGN ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENT—11/17/14
An agreement between Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti concerning environmental issues was signed at the completion of the Fifth Meeting of the Tri-National Ministerial Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC). The agreement is designed to enhance cooperation within the organization concerning rehabilitation efforts and improving the quality of life of people in degraded regions.

LARGE CARIBBEAN RODENTS DOMESTICATED BY CUBANS—11/18/14
In Cuba, Ana Pedraza and her husband are making efforts to domesticate the large Caribbean rodent known as the huitia. The animal, which is native to the Caribbean, has an appearance similar to a giant rat, but “cuter,” according to some observers. The Pedrazas say they want to protect the animals, which are often hunted for food. Huitias can measure about a foot long and may become the size of small dog. The Pedrazas now have six of the animals, which they are raising on their farm near Havana.

SPRINT DOUBLE CLAIMED BY ARIANNA VANDERPOOL-WALLACE—11/19/14
Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace has claimed the sprint double at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mexico by winning the 100-meter free and the 100-meter fly. She achieved a record in the women’s 100-meter free with a time of 54.87.

TOURISM BOARDS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING VISITOR EXPERIENCE—11/20/14
Tourism in the Caribbean has not been growing at a rapid pace, which is unfortunate because tourism is the main driver of most economies in the region, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Tourism is predicted to increase by only 3.4 percent per year over the next decade. As a result, tourism boards are working to become more responsible in the management of visitors’ experiences when traveling in the Caribbean.