Latest news with #LuisAbinader
UPI
23-07-2025
- UPI
Unprecedented sargassum surge threatens tourism in the Caribbean
People walk past sargassum clumps on the sand in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, earlier this month. Dominican President Luis Abinader has issued an urgent call to recognize the scale of the environmental crisis posed by sargassum in the Caribbean, warning that the phenomenon could deal 'a significant blow to the GDP of island nations.' Photo by Orlando Barria/EPA July 23 (UPI) -- At the United Nations Ocean Conference in June, Dominican President Luis Abinader issued an urgent call to recognize the scale of the environmental crisis posed by sargassum in the Caribbean. He warned the phenomenon could deal "a significant blow to the GDP of island nations." Sargassum, a floating macroalgae, has shifted from a rare anomaly to a chronic threat, hitting the tourism industries of countries such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic, where tourism makes up 19% of GDP. This season, sargassum levels could hit a record high, with up to 25 million metric tons estimated across the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The economic effect could surpass that of previous years. Operating costs for sargassum removal could exceed $120 million a year in critical areas, including expenses for barriers, equipment and transportation. Esteban Amaro, director of the Sargassum Monitoring Center in Mexico, warned that the state of Quintana Roo is facing one of its worst seasons yet. The most affected areas stretch from Tulum to Playa del Carmen, along with hotspots such as Xcalak, Mahahual and Cozumel. Nearly the entire coastline is under red alert. Countries such as Barbados, Mexico and the Dominican Republic have reported hotel booking drops of 30% to 40% during peak sargassum periods, typically between May and August. Regional losses could reach $200 million per high season, based on historical patterns. Puerto Rico and Cuba are among other Caribbean nations battling sargassum issues daily. The spread of this invasive seaweed, worsened by global warming, threatens not only the economy but also public health and marine ecosystems, endangering key species such as fish, coral and sea turtles. Local fishers are seeing reduced catches and falling incomes, leaving many in a difficult financial position. As sargassum decomposes, it produces a strong odor that affects quality of life in coastal communities. More concerning are the respiratory issues it can cause, especially among vulnerable individuals exposed to its toxic emissions. In response to the worsening crisis, the region is seeking innovative solutions, with a focus on transforming sargassum into a useful resource. The proposals are varied and promising -- from using sargassum as fuel for biomass energy to harnessing its nutrients to enrich agricultural soil. There is also discussion of extracting compounds for use in cosmetics, food products and other goods. Sos Carbón, a startup led by young Dominican entrepreneurs, has developed an offshore system to collect sargassum before it reaches the shore and begins to decompose, releasing toxic substances. The system already is in use in Mexico, Antigua and Barbuda and Puerto Rico. María Ceballos, a member of the product development team at SOS Carbón-Biotech, said the company has begun producing agricultural biostimulants with promising results. This month, the Dominican Republic and the European Union launched the first Working Group on Sargassum Valorization, aimed at developing viable value chains for processing sargassum. According to the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the goal is to turn this massive challenge into an economic opportunity for the Caribbean.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Always hiding': Haitian laborers fear Dominican deportation push
Agamise Cheranfant hides as soon as he finishes his work at a banana plantation in the Dominican Republic. Like many others, he is Haitian, undocumented, and lives in constant fear of deportation. Owners of farms, construction companies and tourism businesses are also nervous -- they rely on Haitian laborers to work long days under the scorching sun. On the banana plantations in Mao, in the country's northwest, most of the workers are from Haiti, which shares an island with the Dominican Republic. It is an arduous job that few Dominicans want to do. The daily wage of 800 pesos (less than $14) "is very low," said Cheranfant, 33. And with immigration authorities breathing down undocumented workers' necks, "we're always scared, we're always hiding," he said. Relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti are marked by resentment and mistrust. Dominican President Luis Abinader has toughened his policy on migration from the neighboring country, which is plagued by poverty and gang violence that has led thousands of Haitians to flee. Abinader ordered the construction of a wall on the border and increased raids and deportations of undocumented immigrants. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 200,000 Haitians were sent home, even as gang violence there soars. Such "disorderly" repatriations have reduced the availability of labor in tasks that "aren't of interest to Dominicans," according to the construction workers' association, Acoprovi. In some areas, the labor supply has fallen by between 40 and 80 percent. In tourism, the labor squeeze has affected areas such as cooking, said Henri Hebrard, an economist and consultant. "This could affect the quality of service," he said. - Companies demand change - Business leaders are calling for a regularization plan for undocumented laborers. Acoprovi proposes issuing 87,000 temporary work permits. But the government, so far, has shown no signs of flexibility regarding the requests. Antony Florestal has a passport, alien identification card and work card that have all expired. If he is caught in a raid, he faces deportation. "I'm scared," said the 32-year-old, who has been working in agriculture since 2009. "I live here (on the farm) so I don't have to go out on the street." The Dominican Republic exports bananas to the United States, Europe and other countries in the Caribbean, with agriculture representing 5.6 percent of the country's economic output. - 'Can't live in peace' - At the plantation where Cheranfant works, bunches of bananas are harvested with machetes, before being placed on a steel hook and moved along a cable to another area where they are sorted and packed for sale. The best bananas are exported, in this case to Germany. The rest are sold on the local market. The country's banana industry was already in crisis due to factors including the weather, pests and rising costs. Production fell 44 percent between 2021 and 2024, according to the Dominican Association of Banana Producers. The labor shortage is yet another blow. "Here, the workforce has decreased by more than 50 percent" due to the deportations, said producer Osvaldo Pineo. Some Haitians now work "nomadically," he said. "Today, they offer you the service, but tomorrow, you don't know if you'll get it." For employers, too, there is a risk. "If you put them in a vehicle and it's checked (by the authorities), you're accused of being a trafficker of undocumented migrants," Pineo said. Cheranfant has already been deported several times but always returns -- life is a constant game of cat and mouse with immigration authorities. His wife and three children live in a town near the plantation. "Almost every day we flee, in the morning, at night, at three in the morning, at one in the morning," Cheranfant said. "You're scared while you sleep and while you eat. We can't live in peace." str-jt/mbj/dga/nn/dr/des
France 24
04-07-2025
- Business
- France 24
'Always hiding': Haitian laborers fear Dominican deportation push
Owners of farms, construction companies and tourism businesses are also nervous -- they rely on Haitian laborers to work long days under the scorching sun. On the banana plantations in Mao, in the country's northwest, most of the workers are from Haiti, which shares an island with the Dominican Republic. It is an arduous job that few Dominicans want to do. The daily wage of 800 pesos (less than $14) "is very low," said Cheranfant, 33. And with immigration authorities breathing down undocumented workers' necks, "we're always scared, we're always hiding," he said. Relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti are marked by resentment and mistrust. Dominican President Luis Abinader has toughened his policy on migration from the neighboring country, which is plagued by poverty and gang violence that has led thousands of Haitians to flee. Abinader ordered the construction of a wall on the border and increased raids and deportations of undocumented immigrants. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 200,000 Haitians were sent home, even as gang violence there soars. Such "disorderly" repatriations have reduced the availability of labor in tasks that "aren't of interest to Dominicans," according to the construction workers' association, Acoprovi. In some areas, the labor supply has fallen by between 40 and 80 percent. In tourism, the labor squeeze has affected areas such as cooking, said Henri Hebrard, an economist and consultant. "This could affect the quality of service," he said. Companies demand change Business leaders are calling for a regularization plan for undocumented laborers. Acoprovi proposes issuing 87,000 temporary work permits. But the government, so far, has shown no signs of flexibility regarding the requests. Antony Florestal has a passport, alien identification card and work card that have all expired. If he is caught in a raid, he faces deportation. "I'm scared," said the 32-year-old, who has been working in agriculture since 2009. "I live here (on the farm) so I don't have to go out on the street." The Dominican Republic exports bananas to the United States, Europe and other countries in the Caribbean, with agriculture representing 5.6 percent of the country's economic output. 'Can't live in peace' At the plantation where Cheranfant works, bunches of bananas are harvested with machetes, before being placed on a steel hook and moved along a cable to another area where they are sorted and packed for sale. The best bananas are exported, in this case to Germany. The rest are sold on the local market. The country's banana industry was already in crisis due to factors including the weather, pests and rising costs. Production fell 44 percent between 2021 and 2024, according to the Dominican Association of Banana Producers. The labor shortage is yet another blow. "Here, the workforce has decreased by more than 50 percent" due to the deportations, said producer Osvaldo Pineo. Some Haitians now work "nomadically," he said. "Today, they offer you the service, but tomorrow, you don't know if you'll get it." For employers, too, there is a risk. "If you put them in a vehicle and it's checked (by the authorities), you're accused of being a trafficker of undocumented migrants," Pineo said. Cheranfant has already been deported several times but always returns -- life is a constant game of cat and mouse with immigration authorities. His wife and three children live in a town near the plantation. "Almost every day we flee, in the morning, at night, at three in the morning, at one in the morning," Cheranfant said.
Jordan News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
King Holds Series of Meetings with World Leaders in Nice, France - Jordan News
King Holds Series of Meetings with World Leaders in Nice, France His Majesty King Abdullah II held a series of meetings on Sunday with heads of state and delegation leaders participating in the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, set to commence on Monday in the French city of Nice. اضافة اعلان His Majesty met with President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Jordan and these countries and enhancing cooperation across various sectors. The meetings also addressed ways to boost international cooperation in protecting the environment and natural resources, and in tackling environmental challenges to help achieve sustainable development goals at both regional and global levels. Regional developments were also discussed, with His Majesty stressing the urgent need to intensify efforts toward a comprehensive de-escalation—beginning with an immediate end to the war on Gaza, ensuring the continued flow of humanitarian aid, and halting the dangerous escalation in the West Bank. The meetings reaffirmed the importance of continued coordination on issues of mutual concern, in a manner that contributes to achieving peace. Attending the meetings were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, and Director of His Majesty's Office, Eng. Alaa Batayneh. — (Petra)
Roya News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
King meets with heads of state, PMs in France
His Majesty King Abdullah II held separate meetings in Nice, France on Sunday with heads of state and delegations participating in the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which kicks off on Monday. His Majesty met with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, Ireland Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The meetings covered ways to enhance relations and cooperation across various fields. Discussions also touched on ways to boost international cooperation in the areas of protection and preservation of the environment and natural resources, and addressing environmental challenges with the aim of achieving sustainable development goals at the regional and global levels. Speaking about current developments in the Middle East, the King urged stepping up international efforts to achieve comprehensive calm in the region, starting with an immediate end to the war in Gaza, and ensuring the flow of sufficient humanitarian aid to all areas of the Strip, as well as putting a stop to the dangerous escalations in the West Bank. The importance of maintaining coordination on issues of mutual concern was also discussed during the meetings.
