AGP Executive Report

Space Industry: Sentinel-3C has returned its first land and ocean data after launching from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Amazon Leo says it aims to start satellite broadband services by year-end, but an Ariane 6 launch carrying 36 satellites is paused over a turbopump issue. Digital Services: Cayenne hosted Caribbean Telecommunications Union ICT Week, bringing regional officials and industry leaders together to discuss digital resilience, inclusion, innovation and cybersecurity. Environmental Enforcement: A regional Interpol operation led to 233 arrests and identified about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest, with investigators tracing suspected Amazon destruction to company and financial networks. Labour Market: French Guiana recorded the EU’s lowest regional employment rate for people aged 20–64 last year, at 50%, according to Eurostat.

Space and Earth Observation: Europe’s Sentinel-3C, launched from French Guiana, has returned its first images as it begins commissioning. Its instruments will track oceans, land, floods, drought and fires. Satellite Broadband: Amazon Leo says it plans to begin service by year-end. An Ariane 6 launch carrying 36 satellites from French Guiana remains paused over a turbo-pump issue. Digital Services: Cayenne hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s ICT Week, bringing regional officials and industry together to discuss digital resilience, innovation and cybersecurity. It was the CTU’s first major event in a French territory. Climate Outlook: CariCOF warns a strong El Niño could bring drought and humid heat to the Guianas, though French Guiana is considered less exposed to regional flood risk. Employment: Eurostat data put French Guiana’s employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50% last year, among the EU’s lowest.

Space Industry: Amazon Leo says it has completed 1,000 satellites and plans to begin service by year-end. An Ariane 6 launch carrying 36 satellites from French Guiana is paused over a turbo-pump issue. Digital Connectivity: EllaLink has launched development of a submarine cable linking Cayenne with Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western route serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The project is targeting service by the end of 2029; its announcement came during CTU ICT Week in Cayenne, held in a French territory for the first time. Labour Market: French Guiana recorded a 50% employment rate among people aged 20–64 last year, among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data.

Environmental Compliance: Interpol’s regional crackdown led to 233 arrests and linked Amazon destruction to 161 companies across several continents, highlighting the financial networks behind illegal logging, mining and wildlife trafficking. Climate Risks: CariCOF warns a strong El Niño could bring drought and humid heat to the Guianas over the next three months, with potential knock-on effects for agriculture and other businesses. Regional Connectivity: EllaLink has launched the development phase of a submarine cable system linking Cayenne with Martinique and Guadeloupe, with branches to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; service is targeted for late 2029. Digital Industry: Cayenne hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s ICT Week, the first time its flagship event and statutory meetings were held in a French territory. Workforce: Eurostat puts French Guiana’s employment rate at 50% for people aged 20–64, among the lowest in the EU.

Digital Infrastructure: EllaLink has launched development of a submarine cable gateway linking Cayenne with Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western route to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The project is now seeking firm investment commitments and aims to begin service by the end of 2029. Regional ICT: Cayenne hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s 2026 ICT Week, bringing French, European and Caribbean officials and industry leaders together for the event’s first gathering in a French territory. Climate Outlook: CariCOF warns that a strong El Niño could bring drought and humid heat across the Guianas in the coming months, with heat peaking in October. Illegal Mining: An Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest, while tracing suspected financing networks linked to Amazon destruction. Employment: Eurostat puts French Guiana’s employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50% last year, among the lowest in the EU.

Digital Connectivity: EllaLink has moved its Caribbean Gateway from design toward investment, with a planned submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe and branches serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The system is targeted to launch by the end of 2029. Regional ICT: Cayenne hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s annual ICT Week for the first time on French territory, bringing regional and French officials together to discuss digital resilience, inclusion and cybersecurity. Climate Risks: CariCOF warns a strong El Niño could bring drought and humid heat to the Guianas in the coming months, raising risks for businesses and services. Jobs: Eurostat data put French Guiana’s employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50% last year, among the EU’s lowest. Mining Enforcement: An Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries made 233 arrests and traced suspected illegal mining and deforestation to corporate and financial networks.

Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led crackdown across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries made 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Investigators traced suspected mining and deforestation networks to shell companies and more than 160 additional firms, highlighting the scale of environmental crime across the Amazon region. Digital Infrastructure: EllaLink has launched development of a submarine cable system linking Cayenne with Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western route serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The project is moving toward firm investment and financing, with service targeted for late 2029. Regional Connectivity: CTU ICT Week brought ministers, regulators and industry leaders to Cayenne, marking the first time the union’s flagship event was held in a French territory and opening new dialogue between French Guiana and the wider Caribbean. Jobs and Climate: Eurostat data put French Guiana’s employment rate at 50% for people aged 20–64, among the EU’s lowest. CariCOF warns strong El Niño conditions could bring drought and humid heat to the Guianas, risks for local businesses and services.

Digital Infrastructure: Cayenne hosted Caribbean Telecommunications Union ICT Week, where EllaLink launched the development phase of a planned submarine cable linking French Guiana with Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western route serving the Dutch Caribbean. The carrier-neutral system is targeted to begin service by the end of 2029, subject to financing and firm commitments. Mining and Environment: An Interpol-led operation across nine countries resulted in 233 arrests and identified about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest, while investigators traced suspected Amazon destruction to a network of companies and financial backers. Climate and Industry: CariCOF warns a strong El Niño could bring drought and humid heat to the Guianas; French Guiana is an exception to the region’s high-to-extreme flood-risk outlook. Workforce: Eurostat puts French Guiana’s employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50% last year, among the EU’s lowest regional figures.

Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led crackdown across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries made 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Investigators traced suspected Amazon destruction to shell companies and financial networks, raising scrutiny of regional mining and logging supply chains. French Guiana Workforce: Eurostat puts the territory’s employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50%, among the EU’s lowest regional figures and well below the 76.1% average. Digital Infrastructure: EllaLink’s Caribbean Gateway has entered development, with a planned submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique, Guadeloupe and the ABC islands. The company is working to secure commitments and financing, targeting service by the end of 2029. Regional Connectivity: Cayenne hosted CTU ICT Week, bringing Caribbean and French officials and industry leaders together to discuss digital resilience, inclusion, innovation and cybersecurity. Climate Risks: CariCOF warns a strong El Niño could bring drought and humid heat to the Guianas in the coming months, risks for agriculture and other outdoor operations.

Mining and Forest Protection: Interpol’s two-month crackdown across nine countries led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest, while tracing suspected links between mining and deforestation and a network of companies and financiers. Digital Infrastructure: Cayenne hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s ICT Week, bringing regional officials and industry leaders together to discuss connectivity, innovation and cybersecurity. EllaLink also launched the development phase of its Caribbean Gateway, a planned submarine cable linking Cayenne with Caribbean territories; service is targeted for late 2029. Workforce: Eurostat put French Guiana’s employment rate at 50% among people aged 20–64, among the lowest in the EU. Climate Outlook: CariCOF warned that strong El Niño conditions could bring drought and humid heat to the Guianas in the coming months, with potential effects on local businesses and services.

Mining Enforcement: Interpol’s two-month operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Investigators traced a Colombian deforestation network to 161 additional companies and 65 people, sharpening focus on the money behind illegal mining and other environmental crimes. Workforce: Eurostat data puts French Guiana’s employment rate at 50% among people aged 20–64, one of the lowest rates in the EU. Digital Connectivity: CTU ICT Week brought regional officials and industry leaders to Cayenne. EllaLink’s Caribbean Gateway submarine cable, linking Cayenne with Caribbean islands, has entered development, with service targeted for 2029. Space Industry: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex, potentially expanding capacity for commercial and government missions.

Workforce: Eurostat puts French Guiana’s employment rate for people aged 20–64 at 50% last year, among the EU’s lowest regions. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across Latin America and the Caribbean made 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest, highlighting the wider networks behind illegal mining and logging. Climate Outlook: CariCOF warns of expanding drought and humid heat across the Guianas through December; French Guiana may be an exception to the region’s elevated flood risk. Digital Infrastructure: EllaLink has launched development of a submarine cable route from Cayenne through the Caribbean, targeting service by the end of 2029. Space Industry: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex for the MIURA 5 and MIURA 9 rockets. Cross-Border Mining: French Guianese tribal leaders seek talks with Surinamese counterparts on illegal gold mining, river pollution and border issues. Gold Exploration: Critical Resources has hired specialists to assess its Suriname projects, where it is pursuing 90% interests across about 199 square kilometres of gold rights.

Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries made 233 arrests and identified about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Investigators also traced suspected links between Amazon destruction and companies across several continents. Space Industry: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex for the MIURA rockets, aiming to expand commercial launch capacity. Digital Connectivity: EllaLink has advanced its Caribbean Gateway cable project from design into development. The proposed system would link Cayenne with Caribbean islands; financing and partner commitments are still needed before construction, with service targeted for 2029. Cross-Border Communities: French Guiana’s Indigenous leaders want talks with Surinamese counterparts on illegal gold mining, river pollution and waste, seeking stronger cooperation along the Marowijne River. Space Science: The China-Europe SMILE satellite, launched from Kourou in May, has begun science operations and released its first images and data.

Environmental Enforcement: Interpol says a two-month crackdown across nine countries led to 233 arrests over illegal logging, gold mining and wildlife trafficking, mapping about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared Amazon forest and tracing suspected links to foreign companies, shell firms and international buyers. Climate Watch for the Guianas: The Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum warns a strong El Niño could expand drought and bring humid heat into October, with flooding risks still present across the region, while French Guiana is flagged as an exception for some drought impacts. Connectivity for French Guiana: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development phase, proposing a carrier-neutral submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Spaceport Expansion in Kourou: PLD Space and CNES agreed to assess adding a second launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre to boost throughput for PLD’s MIURA 5 and MIURA 9. Gold Mining Pressure on the Marowijne: Tribal leaders from French Guiana and Suriname plan joint talks on illegal gold mining, pollution and border issues along the Marowijne River, including garbage management concerns. Regional Security Angle: A Guyana lawmaker urged deeper probes into who finances illegal mining after an INTERPOL warning that criminal syndicates are shifting cocaine profits into gold operations. Space Science Milestone: The China-Europe SMILE mission has entered regular science operations, releasing first aurora and space-weather images after launch from Kourou.

Telecom & Infrastructure: EllaLink officially launched its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new submarine fibre system running from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; the project moves from design to committed investment, with EllaLink converting letters of intent into binding commitments, completing financing, and targeting service by end-2029. Space & Industry (Kourou link): PLD Space and France’s CNES signed a bilateral agreement to assess adding a second launch pad at the ELM-Diamant complex at the Guiana Space Centre, aiming to boost throughput and support both government and commercial missions. Mining & Cross-border Environment: French Guiana tribal leaders met in Maripasula to tackle illegal gold mining, pollution along the Marowijne River, and waste dumping that spills across the border, agreeing to set up a joint meeting with Surinamese counterparts and revive the River Council. Gold Exploration (Suriname, Guiana Shield): Critical Resources expanded its Suriname gold push by securing exclusivity over the Greenstars project, adding 90% interest potential across granted mining rights in the Guiana Shield and bringing in GexplOre for structural and geophysical interpretation. Security & Illicit Finance: Guyana’s APNU MP Sharma Solomon urged deeper probes into the financiers behind illegal mining after an INTERPOL warning that criminal syndicates are using illegal gold to move cocaine profits.

Telecom Infrastructure: EllaLink officially launched its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new submarine fibre system starting in Cayenne, French Guiana, linking Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; the project is moving from design to committed investment, converting letters of intent into binding commitments, targeting service by end-2029. Space & Launch Services: PLD Space and CNES signed a bilateral agreement to assess adding a second launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre (ELM-Diamant) to boost throughput for MIURA 5 and MIURA 9, aligning with Europe’s push to diversify access to orbit. Mining & Border Environment: French Guiana and Suriname tribal leaders met in Maripasula to tackle illegal gold mining, pollution along the Marowijne River, and cross-border coordination, including plans to revive the River Council. Gold Exploration in the Guiana Shield: Critical Resources expanded its Suriname gold portfolio, securing exclusive rights to a 90% interest in the Greenstars project and bringing in GexplOre for structural and geophysical interpretation across Gonini/Greenstars and surrounding greenstone belts.