Maritime Disaster in the Region: Guyana’s MV Barima tragedy keeps worsening, with authorities now saying 27 bodies have been recovered and 83 people remain missing after the ferry capsized off the Essequibo coast; the search is expanding and recovery is shifting toward getting divers inside the wreck, with French Guiana sending specialist divers and support as Trinidad and Tobago also prepares additional help. Overcrowding and Accountability Questions: Investigators and survivors’ accounts are driving a new focus on possible overcrowding and irregularities, after officials revised the number of people aboard from the manifest figure to 179, and drug tests reportedly came back positive for marijuana for the captain and another crew member. French Guiana in Action: French Armed Forces divers (with medics and technical support) are part of the recovery effort, and the wreck’s repositioning is underway to improve access for divers. Health Alert for Travelers: A chikungunya travel advisory now includes French Guiana, as the CDC flags active outbreaks and urges mosquito-control precautions. Connectivity Milestone: EllaLink’s Lum@link marine installation is set to begin in Cayenne, aiming to complete direct submarine connectivity between French Guiana and continental Europe by end-2026. Regional Integration: Martinique and French Guiana have officially joined CARICOM as associate members, boosting ties across the Caribbean. Wildlife Debate: A harpy eagle attack in French Guiana has reignited discussion about rare human-wildlife conflicts and conservation trade-offs.