• Venezuelan Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino López, has issued a stark warning to neighbouring Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, saying Caracas would retaliate if any attack against the country were launched from their territories.
• The defence minister’s words underscored mounting tensions in the Caribbean, where U.S. military operations have expanded under the banner of counternarcotics enforcement. Caracas insists the buildup is part of a broader campaign directed at undermining President Nicolás Maduro’s government. Padrino accused Washington of sharply intensifying aerial surveillance of Venezuela, citing a surge in spy flights last month.
• According to the minister, U.S. aircraft are not simply conducting routine patrols but are equipped to monitor Venezuelan territory in real time. The planes, he claimed, are “designed to collect and process information in real time, up to 200 miles, meaning their range reaches Venezuelan territory.” In his remarks, Padrino also accused the United States of harbouring aggressive intentions against Venezuela. “We know the deployment they have in the Caribbean with every intention of sowing war,” he said.
• The warning to Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago echoed earlier rhetoric from Venezuela’s leadership. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez last week branded both countries “vassals” of the United States. “You should take it easy, don’t dare, don’t even think about it. You are lending yourselves to the perverse plans of an aggression against the Venezuelan people,” Rodríguez said. Her comments reflected a deepening dispute between Caracas and its neighbours over their support for Washington’s regional operations.
• Trinidad and Tobago responded swiftly, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar rejecting any suggestion that her government was colluding with the United States against Venezuela. She dismissed the allegations as “alarmism,” stressing there were no agreements to invade Venezuela or send Trinidadian troops across the border. Guyana has not publicly commented on Padrino’s most recent statement. However, Georgetown has previously voiced support for U.S. activities in the Caribbean, framing them as part of collaborative counternarcotics efforts.
• The Venezuelan defence minister’s accusations come against the backdrop of the long-running territorial dispute over the Essequibo region, a resource-rich area claimed by both Venezuela and Guyana. Caracas has repeatedly warned that Georgetown’s alignment with Washington could heighten risks in the dispute. While Venezuela’s leaders accuse the United States and its allies of preparing for aggression, Washington has focused its rhetoric on crime and drug trafficking.

 (Source: Miami Herald)

• The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is backing a new effort to help Barbadian small businesses grow, with a US$350,000 grant aimed at preparing them to attract investors and list on their stock exchange.
• The funding will support the Innovation Growth Market 200 Programme (IGM200), a national initiative with the intent to make equity financing attractive and accessible to all Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) by allowing them to list on the Innovation and Growth Market (IGM) of the Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE).
• Led by the Ministry of Energy and Business and the BSE, the programme will offer training, mentorship and support to 200 SMEs looking to expand. CDB President Daniel Best said the initiative would help reshape how small firms access equity capital, an area that has long been underused. “The government of Barbados, under its national Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) policy framework, has taken steps to strengthen the sector, including opening new channels for raising financing through the Innovation and Growth Market, formerly the Junior Stock Exchange,” he said.
• He added that the CDB’s grant will be used to build the capacity of 50 businesses, with at least 20 expected to become investor-ready and list on the IGM. “This effort is not just about paperwork,” Best said. “It’s about training, mentorship and education, so that business owners and investors alike understand the opportunities of equity financing and stock market participation.”

(Source: Barbados Today)

• Britain's economy recorded zero monthly growth in July after a sharp drop in factory output, matching expectations for a slower start to the second half of 2025 but still disappointing for the government ahead of November's budget.
• After a strong first half to the year, economists expect growth to slow over the second half as U.S. tariffs continue to weigh on the global economy and Britain faces headwinds from rising inflation and uncertainty over who will be hit by likely tax rises later this year.
• Finance minister Rachel Reeves highlighted that the economy "isn't broken, but it does feel stuck" as she set out measures to streamline part of the tax system. Friday's data showed that manufacturing output - which makes up 9% of the economy - dropped by a hefty 1.3% on the month in July, its biggest fall in a year, led by computers, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, the Office for National Statistics said. But the much larger services sector edged up 0.1% in the month, slightly ahead of expectations.
• GDP rose 0.4% month-on-month in June and on a three-month basis. However, the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS') preferred way of presenting the figures showed that growth slowed to 0.2% in the three months to July from 0.3% in the second quarter.
• "July's slowdown is probably the start of a more restrained period for the economy with higher inflation and rising job losses likely to have stifled activity in August, despite an expected uplift from the warm weather," said Suren Thiru, economics director at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) accountancy body.
• Sterling weakened slightly after the data before recovering and financial markets continued to price in only around a 40% chance of another BoE rate cut this year, with inflationthis month expected to hit double the BoE's 2% target.

(Source: Reuters)

• The Bank of Japan (BoJ) should be mindful of the risk of inflation accelerating due to the yen's prolonged weakness, as Japan's interest rates remain ultra-low, former top currency diplomat Toyoo Gyoten highlighted.
• "It's a matter of fact that Japan's interest rates have been simply too low, and that's undeniably contributing to the yen's weakness," said Gyoten, who was involved in the 1985 Plaza Accord, which saw five major economies agree to a concerted devaluation of the dollar.
• The BoJ exited a massive, decade-long stimulus last year and raised short-term rates to 0.5% in January on the view that Japan was on the cusp of sustainably achieving its 2% inflation target. While consumer inflation has exceeded the BOJ's target for well over three years, Governor Kazuo Ueda has vowed to go slow in hiking rates due to uncertainty over the impact of U.S. tariffs on Japan's economy.
• The yen fell to 38-year lows, dropping past 161 per dollar last year. It has partly recovered but remains weak for much of this year, last trading around 147 to the dollar. Gyoten, now an honorary advisor to Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group's main banking division, said the yen's weakness would be corrected if Japan gradually moves toward further tightening, narrowing the interest rate gap with the United States.
• Gyoten, who became vice finance minister for international affairs in 1986, recalled the public outcry when the yen shot up in the aftermath of the Plaza Accord. The BoJ responded with massive monetary easing to shield the export-reliant economy from the currency shock. But the move fuelled asset bubbles that later burst, leaving deep scars on what is now the world's fourth-largest economy.
• "Rather than trying to stop the yen's appreciation, Japan should have accepted a stronger yen and used it as an opportunity to reduce its dependence on exports and shift to a new growth model," he said.
• Unlike in earlier times when a strong yen was seen as inherently negative, there is now a growing awareness that the perspective of ordinary consumers has to be taken into account, Gyoten said, referring to households getting crunched by higher costs of living due partly to the weak yen.

(Source: Reuters)

• Following the completion of its Additional Public Offering (APO), energy solutions company, Tropical Battery Limited, has now moved from the JSE Junior Market to the Main Market.
• CEO Alexander Melville stated that, although the APO did not reach the full amount originally targeted, the targeted raise was only one component of the balance sheet realignment strategy.
• He also noted that the company has prepared additional measures to strengthen the balance sheet and maintain progress with its growth plans. Key to those growth plans includes developing renewable energy solutions and expanding its presence in the Caribbean and the Americas.
• Since listing on the Junior Market of the JSE in 2020, Tropical has almost tripled its revenues, expanded into international markets, and diversified its business through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
• However, off the back of earnings revisions, and despite second quarter improvements, Tropical had a net loss attributed to shareholders of $86.67Mn for the 6 Months ended March 2025 (6M 2025). The loss was $173.50Mn lower than the $86.63Mn profits for 6M 2024, as higher gross profits were outpaced by rising operating expenses, depreciation, amortisation and finance costs.
• Against the backdrop of the falloff in earnings, Tropical’s stock price is down 43.4% year-to-date to $1.42 on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

(Source: JSE, NCBCM Research)

• Jamaica's Net International Reserves (NIR) climbed US$6.15Bn at the end of August 2025, reflecting a 22.9% increase compared to August 2024.
• A 21.6% rise (US$1.10Bn) in total foreign assets, coupled with a 63.2% reduction (US$49.50Mn) in foreign liabilities, were the primary drivers of the improvements.
• The increase in foreign assets was largely driven by a 53.0% growth in Securities (US$854.60Mn) and a 929.9% rise in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), totalling US$197.61Mn, and an increase in Currency & Deposits of US$44.60Mn.
• Jamaica’s NIR remains relatively high, equating to 30.7 weeks of goods & services imports (25.3 weeks at the end of August 2024). At this level, the NIR is more than 2.7 times the international benchmark of 12 weeks of imports and should provide a solid buffer in the case of a major shock.

(Sources: BOJ and NCBCM Research)

• Since August 14, 2025, the United States has deployed air and naval forces to the southern Caribbean, reportedly to counter drug trafficking. The operation has since become one of the region’s most significant U.S. military engagements in recent decades. By August 28, U.S. forces had positioned seven warships, a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, and approximately 4,500 personnel, including 2,200 Marines, off the coast of Venezuela.
• Tensions escalated on September 1, when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro characterised the U.S. presence as a threat to his government. The following day, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against a Venezuelan-flagged vessel suspected of transporting narcotics, resulting in 11 fatalities.
• By September 5, the U.S. reinforced its posture with the deployment of 10 F-35 aircraft to Puerto Rico, extending aerial coverage across the Caribbean. On the same day, Venezuelan F-16 jets flew near a U.S. Navy destroyer, which U.S. officials described as provocative. Media reports on September 6 indicated that U.S. officials were considering additional strikes against cartel operations within Venezuela, suggesting that the September 2 incident may not remain isolated.
• Regional responses have been mixed: Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister expressed support for the U.S. operations, while officials from Barbados and CARICOM emphasised the need for transparency and improved regional diplomatic coordination.
• Venezuela announced increased troop deployments along Caribbean corridors, raising the risk of further escalations
• These developments take place against the backdrop of a long-standing territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region, covering roughly 160,000 km², rich in oil and gas resources.

(Source: oilnow)

• The Gas-to-Energy project at Wales continues to record progress. On September 8, 2025, President Irfaan Ali provided an update on the construction initiative.
• He reported that Phase I is advancing, with the foundation for the first gas turbine poured on September 9. The remaining turbine foundations are scheduled for completion within the next month. More than 300 people are currently employed on the project, with an additional 100 staff set to be engaged within the next 30 days.
• Regarding Phase II, which envisions another 300 MW power plant and NGL facility, seven submissions have been received and are under review. The process of finalising pre-qualified firms is ongoing, paving the way for engineering, procurement, construction, and financing arrangements.
• The President also outlined developments at the Wales Industrial Zone, where an updated site map highlights existing and proposed infrastructure. Land has been designated for a data centre, an ammonia/urea plant, and a glass factory. In addition, 20 Mn cubic feet of gas per day has been earmarked for a fertiliser facility with a capacity to produce 300 tons of urea annually. Discussions with international and local firms are underway in relation to this initiative.
• This initiative sits within Guyana’s broader strategy of using its newfound oil wealth to build a more resilient, diversified economy. While oil revenues fund development, the government is aiming to channel resources into sustainable infrastructure, food security, industrialisation, and energy security.
• Guyana currently has some of the highest electricity costs in the region, driven by heavy reliance on imported fuels. By harnessing natural gas from offshore oil production, the project is expected to cut electricity costs by 50% or more. This should ease the burden on households and businesses.
• Reliable, cheaper power will unlock opportunities for downstream industries such as fertiliser, petrochemicals, glass manufacturing, and data services. These industries are already earmarked for the Wales Industrial Zone and would help diversify the economy, create jobs, and reduce dependence on crude oil exports.

(Source: oilnow)

• The U.S. economy is showing some strains after years of resilience, with domestic demand moderating and job growth slowing, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
• IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said inflation was on a path to meet the Federal Reserve's 2% target, but some risks could push it higher, largely because of tariffs imposed on imports by the Trump administration. "What we've seen over the past few years is that the U.S. economy has proven to be quite resilient. We do see now that some strains are beginning to show," she told a regular briefing. "Domestic demand has been moderating in the U.S., and job growth is slowing."
• Kozack said the front-loading of imports early in the year in anticipation of tariffs had caused some volatility in economic activity in the first half, and tariffs were now adding to inflation risks. As a result of the combined factors, she said, the IMF saw scope for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, although it should proceed cautiously, with an eye on emerging data. She gave a regular briefing that a downward revision in U.S. employment data announced on Tuesday was a "bit larger" than the historical average.
• The U.S. government said 911,000 fewer jobs were likely created in the 12 months through March than previously estimated, suggesting that job growth was stalling before President Donald Trump's aggressive tariffs on imports. Such revisions could be driven by a variety of factors, including statistical issues and some related to response and survey errors, she said, adding the issue would be discussed during the scheduled IMF review of the U.S. economy in November.
• The Labour Department's inspector general on Wednesday said it was initiating a review of challenges that the Bureau of Labour Statistics faces in collecting and reporting U.S. economic data after it made large downward revisions to nonfarm payrolls and cut its inflation data collection. Earlier sharp downgrades to May and June payroll figures angered Trump, prompting him to fire BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer and accuse her, without evidence, of faking the data. Trump has nominated E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, to replace her.
• Kozack refused to be drawn on the credibility of U.S. data, saying only that the IMF strongly advocated for accurate, timely and reliable data from all its members. "This kind of data transparency strengthens the credibility of economic management in all countries," she said.

(Source: Reuters)

• World oil supply will rise more rapidly this year, and a surplus could expand in 2026 as OPEC+ members increase output and supply from outside the group grows, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday. This is in contrast to OPEC's updated outlook.
• The IEA said that supply is set to rise by 2.7Mn barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, up from the 2.5Mn bpd previously forecast and by a further 2.1Mn bpd next year.
• OPEC+ is adding more crude to the market after it decided to unwind its second layer of output cuts more rapidly than earlier scheduled. The extra supply has raised concerns of a surplus and weighed on oil prices this year.
• Supply is rising far faster than demand in the IEA's view, even though it upwardly revised its forecast for growth in world demand this year to 740,000 bpd, up 60,000 bpd from the previous forecast, citing resilient deliveries in advanced economies. "Oil markets are being pulled in different directions by a range of forces, with the potential for supply losses stemming from new sanctions on Russia and Iran coming against a backdrop of higher OPEC+ supply and the prospect of increasingly bloated oil balances," the IEA said in the report.
• IEA demand forecasts are at the lower end of the industry range, as the agency expects a faster transition to renewable energy sources than other forecasters.
• OPEC, on the other hand, maintained its forecast that demand will rise by 1.29Mn bpd this year, almost double the rate expected by the IEA, and said the world economy was doing well into the second half of 2025. The upbeat outlook follows the decision of the wider OPEC+ on Sunday to further raise its oil output quotas from October as its leader, Saudi Arabia, pushes to regain market share.
• Oil prices declined on Thursday, with Brent crude trading just below $67 a barrel. This is still up from a 2025 low of near $58 in April.

(Source: Reuters)