Caribbean

Puerto Rico April 17

Puerto Rico hit with massive island-wide blackout ahead of Easter weekend

A massive island-wide blackout hit the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico midday Wednesday as residents were preparing for the Easter weekend.

Dominican Republic April 10

New Jersey woman identified as one of 200 Dominican Republic nightclub collapse victims

Family and friends of a New Jersey woman identified her as one of the more than 200 people who died in a nightclub collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday.

Travel April 8

American man on Bahamas family vacation found dead after leaving dinner to get jacket: report

A Maryland man, Dinari McAlmont, who briefly disappeared during a vacation to the Bahamas with his parents, was found dead on a beach the next morning.

Travel March 26

Popular spring break activity lands American tourist in hospital: 'Felt like I was in a car accident'

Cierra Stockard recounts her terrifying experience at a Jamaican excursion after she was struck by a dolphin's fin when she slipped into the water during a spring break activity.

Travel March 25

US warns American travelers about Caribbean island's increased danger of 'terrorism and kidnapping'

The State Department has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean island off the northeast coast of Venezuela, due to a state of emergency.

Caribbean March 21

Ex-Haiti envoy slams 'deeply flawed' approach of Biden admin

Daniel Foote, a former special envoy to Haiti, hits the Biden administration's failed policies over the gang-infested Caribbean island. Foote resigned in protest in 2021.

Missing Persons March 18

Dominican judge rules in Iowa witness' favor in missing American student case

The State Department has confirmed it is assisting in the search for missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, whom authorities believed drowned on March 6.

Caribbean March 18

Small plane crashes after take off from Caribbean island along Honduras' coast, killing at least 12

At least 12 were killed when a small plane crashed into the sea off the Caribbean coast of Honduras on Monday. Five were rescued, and one is missing.

Spring Break Nation March 18

FBI issues spring break travel warning after American college student's disappearance

The State Department and FBI are warning spring break travelers to take certain precautions and be extra vigilant when traveling. Here is a list of tips from the agencies.

Missing Persons March 17

Legal fight over American college student’s resort disappearance could come down to who was ‘reckless’: lawyer

The disappearance of an American college student in the Dominican Republic has prompted questions about liability that the resort where she was staying could potentially face.

Missing Persons March 16

Key witness in American college student's disappearance has his passport seized

Joshua Riibe, who was seen with University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki before she went missing, no longer has his passport, according to his attorneys.

Missing Persons March 14

Spring break travelers urged to take certain precautions amid search for missing American college student

Former U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic Robin Bernstein, who served between 2018 and 2021, has a warning for spring breakers in light of the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki.

Missing Persons March 12

Missing American in Dominican Republic: Unpredictable ocean currents, beachfront pose major search challenge

The Dominican Republic beach where UPitt student Sudkisha Konanki vanished last week is known for unpredictable currents and is located near the end of a protective coral reef.

Sharks February 24

Terrifying video gives inside look at what it would be like to be eaten by a shark

A tiger shark swallowed a camera, which gave divers an inside view of its mouth during a feeding, according to reports.

Spring Break Nation February 21

Spring break warning: Most unlikely American tourist hot spots emerge as deadly risk

The Caribbean, a popular spring break destination for Americans, is relatively safe, but the State Department is warning U.S. tourists to stay away from certain countries.

Border security February 11

China expands influence near wealthy Florida enclave as migrants from communist country flood into US

Gordon G. Chang discussed China's growing influence in the Caribbean region and the national security threat it could present.

Caribbean January 30

Caribbean nation of St Kitts launches investigation after 19 people found dead in drifting vessel

Authorities in the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis have launched an investigation after discovering a partially submerged boat containing at least 19 bodies.

Caribbean January 15

Gang violence in Haiti at record levels amid criticisms US has no 'clear strategy'

Gang violence in Haiti has led to the displacement of more than 700,000 people, forcing them to flee their homes for safety. Critics fault U.S. strategy amid escalating unrest.

Politics November 18

Charity leaders slam Biden admin's response to US planes shot in Haiti amid chaos: 'What are we doing?'

Jack Brewer led several other charity heads in condemning the lack of action from the Biden administration against U.S. planes shot in Port-au-Prince.

US November 12

FAA suspends air traffic to Haiti for 30 days after two flights from US hit by gunfire

The FAA announced Tuesday that all U.S. commercial flights into Haiti are suspended for 30 days. The ban comes one day after a Spirit flight was hit by gunfire on Monday.

Florida November 11

Spirit Airlines flight from Florida hit by gunfire while trying to land in Haiti

A Spirit Airlines flight making a landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was struck by gunfire, forcing the pilot to redirect the flight to an airport in the Dominican Republic.

World November 11

Haiti prime minister ousted by transition council after just 6 months in power

Haiti's Prime Minister has been removed from office after serving for just six months Monday, with a controversial transitionary council ousting him.

Politics November 2

Indiana AG to probe reported 'unsustainable' influx of Haitian migrants into state's small towns

Indiana AG Todd Rokita is probing efforts by nonprofits and employers to bring illegal migrants into Indiana communities, citing possible labor trafficking violations.

POLITICS October 23

GOP lawmaker warns Cuban blackouts are an admonition against a Kamala Harris presidency

Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez, R-Fla., who represents part of Miami and the Keys, drew a connection between the crises facing Cuba and the politics of Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders

Cuba October 18

Cuban power plant failure leaves millions in the dark in island-wide outage

Millions of Cubans were left without power on Friday after a failure at a power plant, the communist government said.

IMMIGRATION September 19

Ohio Haitian community leader argues ‘America should be an open country for everybody’

Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center in Springfield, Ohio, evoked the Founding Fathers to argue that America should be open to migrants.

Caribbean September 15

Haiti fuel truck explosion kills 24, leaves dozens severely burned, government says

A fuel truck explosion in southern Haiti on Saturday killed 24 people and left 40 others injured, half of whom suffered third-degree burns, officials said.

POLITICS September 9

Migrant controversy hits heartland as Alabama council meeting boils over, state officials slam feds' 'mess'

Sylacauga, Alabama, residents fume at officials over an influx of Haitian migrants legally in their town under Temporary Protective Status as state lawmakers seek action.

Caribbean July 22

UN ambassador announces $60M in aid, police resources for Haiti

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced an additional $60 million in humanitarian aid for Haiti while in the nation Monday.

Mexico July 3

Mexico evacuates turtle eggs from beaches as Hurricane Beryl approaches

The Mexican government began evacuating sea turtle eggs from beaches Wednesday in preparation for Hurricane Beryl, which is currently barreling across the Caribbean.