AGP Executive Report

Space and Connectivity: Amazon Leo says it has completed 1,000 satellites and plans to begin service by year-end. A planned Ariane 6 launch from French Guiana, carrying 36 satellites, is paused over a turbo-pump issue. Digital Investment: EllaLink has launched the development phase of a submarine cable linking Cayenne with Martinique, Guadeloupe and the Dutch Caribbean. It is seeking firm partner commitments and financing, with service targeted for 2029. Regional Trade: Trans Guyana Airways is preparing direct Georgetown–Cayenne flights under a new Guyana–France agreement, which allows for at least two weekly services pending approvals. Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week in Cayenne brought regional leaders together on AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, strengthening links between Caribbean territories and France. Employment: Eurostat data puts French Guiana’s employment rate at 50% among people aged 20–64, among the EU’s lowest — a stark indicator of the territory’s labour-market challenge.

Environmental Crime: Interpol’s regional crackdown led to 233 arrests and linked Amazon destruction to 161 additional companies, with investigators citing suspected permit fraud and shell firms. Digital Infrastructure: At CTU ICT Week in Cayenne, EllaLink launched development of a submarine cable linking French Guiana with Caribbean territories; service is targeted for 2029, subject to financing and construction. Air Links: A new Guyana-France agreement could enable at least two weekly direct flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, pending approvals, cutting a journey that can take up to 24 hours by road. Jobs: Eurostat put French Guiana’s employment rate at 50% for people aged 20–64, the lowest among EU regions.

Digital Infrastructure: CTU ICT Week in Cayenne brought Caribbean governments and industry together on AI, cybersecurity and regional connectivity. EllaLink also launched development of a submarine cable linking French Guiana with the Caribbean, targeting service by 2029 as it secures investment and financing. Air Links: A new Guyana–France agreement clears the way for Trans Guyana Airways to seek approvals for at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights. The roughly 75-minute route could replace journeys of up to 24 hours and support trade, tourism and business travel. Labor Market: Eurostat data put French Guiana’s 2025 employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50%, the lowest among EU regions. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine countries made 233 arrests and traced suspected Amazon destruction to shell companies and financial networks, highlighting the scale of illicit mining and related business.

Digital Economy: CTU ICT Week in Cayenne brought regional leaders together to advance AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. EllaLink also launched development of a submarine cable linking French Guiana with Caribbean territories, targeting service by the end of 2029. Trade and Travel: A new Guyana-France air agreement clears the way for Trans Guyana Airways to seek approval for at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights, potentially cutting journeys from up to 24 hours to about 75 minutes and supporting business and cargo links. Mining and Finance: An Interpol operation across nine countries made 233 arrests and traced suspected illegal mining and deforestation to shell companies and financial networks linked to more than 170 firms. Employment: French Guiana recorded an employment rate of 50% among people aged 20–64, among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data.

Digital Economy: CTU ICT Week in Cayenne brought Caribbean officials and businesses together to advance AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, strengthening links between French Guiana and the wider region. Connectivity Investment: EllaLink launched development of a submarine cable system linking Cayenne with Martinique, Guadeloupe and the southern Caribbean; service is targeted for 2029, pending investment and financing. Regional Air Links: A new Guyana-France air services agreement clears the way for Trans Guyana Airways to seek approval for at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights, cutting a journey that can take up to 24 hours to about 75 minutes and potentially supporting trade and business travel. Mining and Environment: An Interpol-led operation across nine countries made 233 arrests and traced suspected illegal mining and forest destruction to shell companies and international financial networks, underscoring scrutiny of the region’s resource industries. Jobs: Eurostat data put French Guiana’s employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50% last year, among the EU’s lowest regional figures.

Digital Economy: CTU ICT Week in Cayenne brought Caribbean, French and EU officials and industry leaders together to advance cooperation on AI, cybersecurity and resilient digital infrastructure. EllaLink also launched the development phase of a planned submarine cable linking Cayenne with Martinique, Guadeloupe and the southern Caribbean, targeting service by 2029. Regional Connectivity: A new Guyana–France air services agreement opens the way for Trans Guyana Airways to launch at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights, subject to approvals. The roughly 75-minute service could replace journeys of up to 24 hours and support trade, tourism and business travel. Labour Market: French Guiana recorded a 50% employment rate among people aged 20–64 last year, one of the EU’s lowest regional figures, highlighting a persistent challenge for the local economy.

Digital Economy: CTU ICT Week in Cayenne brought Caribbean officials and businesses together to advance AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. EllaLink also launched development of a submarine cable linking French Guiana with Caribbean islands, targeting service by the end of 2029 as it secures investment. Mining and Finance: An Interpol operation across nine countries led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared land. Investigators traced suspected Amazon destruction to shell companies and a wider network of 161 firms and 65 people. Jobs: French Guiana recorded the EU’s lowest employment rate for people aged 20–64, at 50%, according to Eurostat. Trade Links: Trans Guyana Airways is preparing for at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights under a new Guyana-France air agreement. The proposed 75-minute service, pending approvals, could support business travel and cargo.

Digital Infrastructure: CTU ICT Week in Cayenne wrapped up today, bringing Caribbean officials and businesses together on AI, cybersecurity and resilient networks. EllaLink also advanced plans for a submarine cable linking Cayenne with Caribbean islands, targeting service by the end of 2029 as it secures investment. Air Links: A new Guyana–France agreement opens the way for Trans Guyana Airways to launch at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights, pending approvals. The 75-minute route could replace journeys of up to 24 hours and support trade, tourism and business travel. Employment: Eurostat puts French Guiana’s employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50% last year, among the EU’s lowest regional figures.

Digital Economy: CTU ICT Week in Cayenne brought regional governments and businesses together to advance cooperation on AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, marking the first time the Caribbean Telecommunications Union held its flagship event in a French territory. Connectivity Investment: EllaLink launched development of a submarine cable system linking Cayenne with Caribbean islands, with service targeted for 2029 and financing and investment commitments still to be finalized. Air Links: Trans Guyana Airways is preparing at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights under a new Guyana-France agreement, subject to approvals. The roughly 75-minute route could replace journeys of up to 24 hours and support trade, tourism and business travel. Space Sector: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou, potentially expanding capacity for commercial launches. Employment: Eurostat put French Guiana’s employment rate at 50% for people aged 20–64, among the EU’s lowest regional figures.

Regional Air Links: Trans Guyana Airways is preparing at least two weekly nonstop Georgetown–Cayenne flights under a new Guyana–France agreement, subject to approvals. The roughly 75-minute route could replace journeys of up to 24 hours and support trade, tourism and business travel. Mining and Enforcement: An Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries led to 233 arrests and exposed suspected corporate and financial links to illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking. Connectivity Investment: EllaLink has moved its Caribbean Gateway cable project into development, planning a route from Cayenne to the Caribbean islands, with service targeted for 2029. Space Industry: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou, potentially expanding commercial launch capacity. Jobs: French Guiana recorded an EU-low 50% employment rate among people aged 20–64 last year.

Air Links: Guyana and France’s new air-services pact clears the way for Trans Guyana Airways to seek approval for at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights. The roughly 75-minute trip could replace surface journeys of up to 24 hours and support business, tourism and cargo links. Digital Infrastructure: EllaLink has moved its proposed Caribbean Gateway, including a Cayenne connection, into development. The company is seeking firm partner commitments and financing before construction; service is targeted for late 2029. Space Industry: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant site for commercial rockets. The project aims to expand launch capacity and follows PLD Space’s €35 million investment in a dedicated presence at the spaceport. Climate Outlook: CariCOF warns that strong El Niño conditions could bring drought and humid heat to the Guianas over the next three months, though French Guiana is among the exceptions to the region’s high flood-risk outlook.

Interpol Crackdown: Interpol says a two-month operation across nine countries led to 233 arrests and exposed links between large-scale Amazon deforestation and suspected companies, with investigators tracing alleged permit fraud, shell companies and international buyers tied to illegal logging, gold mining and wildlife trafficking. Climate Watch for French Guiana: The Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum warns a very strong El Niño could expand drought risk and bring humid heat peaking in October across the Guianas, while flooding and flash-flood hazards remain possible in parts of the region. Air Connectivity Boost: A renewed Guyana–France Air Services Agreement is paving the way for direct Georgetown–Cayenne flights, with Trans Guyana Airways preparing at least two weekly non-stop services, cutting travel time from up to 24 hours to about 1 hour 15 minutes. Digital Infrastructure Investment: EllaLink has launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, advancing a carrier-neutral fibre optic submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe (with a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire), targeting service by end-2029. Spaceport Expansion: PLD Space and CNES signed a deal to assess adding a second launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre to support MIURA 5 and MIURA 9 operations, aiming to expand capacity for both government and commercial missions.

Aviation & Trade Links: Guyana and France have signed a modernised Air Services Agreement, replacing a 1976 framework, clearing the way for Trans Guyana Airways to launch at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, cutting a trip that can take up to 24 hours by land and transit down to about 1 hour 15 minutes, with knock-on benefits for tourism, business travel, investment and cargo across the Guiana Shield. Telecom Infrastructure: EllaLink has officially launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, a new fibre optic submarine cable running from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; the project moves into committed investment after converting letters of intent, targeting service by end-2029. Mining & Enforcement Pressure: In the wake of an INTERPOL warning about cocaine profits being routed into illegal gold mining, Guyana’s APNU MP Sharma Solomon is calling for investigations into financiers and buyers—not just seizure of dredges and shipments—so enforcement reaches the money trail. Spaceport Expansion in French Guiana: PLD Space and CNES have agreed to assess feasibility for a second launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre to boost capacity for PLD’s MIURA 5 and MIURA 9, aligning with Europe’s push to diversify access to orbit. Regional Politics: CARICOM Chairman Philip J. Pierre has paid tribute to late French Guiana President Gabriel Serville, highlighting his role in advancing French Guiana’s development and fostering closer Caribbean ties, including CARICOM associate membership in July 2026.

Aviation & Trade Links: Guyana and France signed a modern Air Services Agreement, replacing a 1976 framework, and Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) has started preparations to launch at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, cutting a trip that can take up to 24 hours by land and transit down to about 1h15m, with passenger and cargo opportunities expected to boost tourism, business travel, and regional trade across the Guiana Shield. Digital Infrastructure: EllaLink officially launched its Caribbean Gateway (ECG) initiative, a new open-access fibre optic submarine cable system running from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; the project moves from design to committed investment, targeting service by end-2029. Mining & Enforcement Pressure: In Suriname, Critical Resources expanded its gold portfolio after securing exclusivity over the Gonini and Greenstars projects, while in Guyana APNU MP Sharma Solomon called for deeper investigations into who finances illegal mining after an INTERPOL warning about criminal syndicates shifting cocaine profits into illegal gold. Local Governance & Funding: Saint-Martin’s Executive Council approved European education funding (€2.84m), set a projected €1.49m payment schedule in a Computech dispute, and advanced other administrative measures covering tourism, disability services, sports, and employment.

Aviation & Trade: Guyana’s Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) has started preparations for direct Georgetown–Cayenne flights after a new Guyana–France Air Services Agreement signed Sept. 30, replacing a 1976 framework; TGA says it aims for at least two weekly nonstop services (about 1h15m), pending approvals, cutting a trip that can take up to 24 hours by land and transit. Telecoms Investment: EllaLink officially launched its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway (ECG) development phase, a carrier-neutral submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; EllaLink will convert letters of intent into firm commitments, complete financing, and target service by end-2029. Mining & Finance Risk: Critical Resources is expanding its Suriname gold push, adding exclusivity over the Greenstars project and bringing in exploration specialists for structural and geophysical work across its Gonini/Greenstars footprint. Regional Governance: CARICOM Chairman Philip J. Pierre paid tribute to late French Guiana President Gabriel Serville, highlighting his role in advancing French Guiana’s development and ties with the Caribbean.

Gold Exploration in Suriname: Critical Resources says it has hired exploration specialists GexplOre to run structural and geophysical work across its Gonini and Greenstars gold projects in Suriname’s Guiana Shield, holding a 90% interest in 199 km² of granted rights (subject to deal completion). Digital Infrastructure for French Guiana & the Caribbean: EllaLink officially launched the Caribbean Gateway initiative, advancing the Cayenne–Martinique/Guadeloupe submarine cable (with a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire) into the development phase; EllaLink will now turn letters of intent into firm commitments and target service by end-2029. Air Connectivity Boost: Following a renewed Guyana–France Air Services Agreement signed Sept. 30, Trans Guyana Airways is preparing for at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, aiming to cut travel time from up to 24 hours by surface links to about 1h15m, pending approvals. Regional Leadership & Business Links: CARICOM Chairman Philip J. Pierre paid tribute to late French Guiana President Gabriel Serville, highlighting his role in advancing French Guiana’s CARICOM associate membership and ties with the Caribbean.