This Caribbean All-Inclusive Has Been Sold

News Americas, New York, NY, January 6, 2025: A Caribbean all-inclusive resort has been sold for $28.5 million in cash.

Playa Hotels & Resorts has sold the all-inclusive Jewel Paradise Cove Resort & Spa in Jamaica. The sale comes amid ongoing negotiations with Hyatt Hotels Corporation regarding potential strategic options, including a possible acquisition of Playa by Hyatt.

The Jewel Paradise Cove Resort, located in Jamaica, was sold to an unnamed third party as part of Playa’s strategy to optimize its portfolio. The move is expected to strengthen the company’s financial position, enhance shareholder value, and allow a focus on higher-performing properties.

Hyatt Negotiations in Progress

Playa recently confirmed an exclusivity agreement with Hyatt, effective until February 3, 2025. If a merger materializes, it could exceed Playa’s current $1.2 billion market capitalization, marking a significant step for the company.

Reshaping the Portfolio

Playa’s portfolio includes 24 resorts totaling 8,627 rooms across prime markets in Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Of these, eight are operated under third-party management agreements, while the rest are owned and managed by Playa.

This isn’t Playa’s first major sale recently. In August, the company sold the Jewel Palm Beach resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for approximately $68 million. These sales align with Playa’s strategy to divest select assets while focusing on more profitable ventures.

As Playa refines its portfolio and negotiates a potentially transformative deal with Hyatt, the company remains a key player in the all-inclusive resort market in the Caribbean and beyond.

Former Guyana President Donald Ramotar Criticizes Israel at Desi Bouterse’s Funeral

News Americas, New York, NY, January 6, 2025: Former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, delivered a pointed critique of Israel on Saturday, accusing the nation of human rights violations against Palestinians in Gaza and condemning the international community’s failure to intervene.

A woman stands beside the debris of a destroyed building following an Israeli air strike on Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 6, 2025, amid the continuing war between Israel and the militant Hamas group. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)

Ramotar made the remarks during the funeral ceremony for the late Surinamese President Desi Bouterse, held in Paramaribo, Suriname. In his speech, Ramotar also criticized the Netherlands for its continued support of Israel.

Ramotar and Joseph Harmon, a former opposition leader in Guyana, were the only international speakers at the event, which drew tens of thousands of mourners and onlookers. Video tributes were shared by prominent figures, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and singer Eddy Grant, both of whom had close ties to Bouterse.

Call for CARICOM Leadership

Ramotar urged the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to take a bold stand on global issues, advocating for Israel’s expulsion from the United Nations. He argued that such action would demonstrate true solidarity with the Palestinian people.

“It is not an extreme position,” he said, citing South Africa’s suspension from the UN during apartheid as precedent.

Remembering Bouterse

In offering condolences to Bouterse’s widow and family, Ramotar reflected on his close personal relationship with the late Surinamese leader. “Our friendship began long before either of us became president,” he said, describing Bouterse as “one of the Caribbean’s great souls” who played a pivotal role in Suriname’s political, social, and economic life.

Ramotar praised Bouterse as a nationalist committed to true independence for Suriname and the Caribbean. “For him, independence was not just a flag or anthem; it was about substance and self-reliance,” he noted, commending Bouterse’s efforts to reduce Suriname’s dependency on its former colonial power, the Netherlands.

Critique of “Imperialist” Forces

The former Guyanese president characterized Bouterse as a target of imperialist forces due to his firm stand against global injustices. Ramotar accused nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands of hypocrisy, pointing to their inaction on human rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as their roles in global conflicts.

“It is those same morally bankrupt politicians who persecuted Comrade Bouterse,” Ramotar stated, alleging they falsely accused him to serve imperialist agendas. He criticized the Dutch courts for rejecting appeals to halt arms shipments to Israel and condemned the United States for using its UN veto to protect Israel from accountability.

Tributes and Controversies

In a video tribute, singer Eddy Grant described himself as a “true friend” of Bouterse, calling the late leader a man who “led from the front.”

Bouterse, who died on December 23 while evading a 20-year prison sentence for the 1982 murders of 15 political opponents, was cremated privately on Saturday evening. An autopsy revealed he succumbed to complications of liver failure caused by chronic alcohol abuse.

Despite his controversial legacy, Bouterse’s impact on Suriname, the Caribbean, and beyond was acknowledged by many at the funeral, where his commitment to independence and regional unity was celebrated.

Caribbean Roots Star Wins Golden Globe

News Americas, New York, NY, January 6, 2025: Zoe Saldaña, the celebrated actress with Caribbean roots, has won her first Golden Globe, securing the award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.

Caribbean roots actress Zoe Saldana poses in the press room with the award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture for “Emilia Perez” during the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 5, 2025. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

“Oh my God,” the Emilia Pérez star exclaimed tearfully as she accepted the award from presenters Dwayne Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho during the glamorous ceremony at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 5.

“I’m filled with adrenaline, but my heart is full of gratitude,” said Saldaña, 46, as she thanked her co-stars, family, and fans. “I love you — you guys are everything,” she added, dedicating the moment to her loved ones.

(From L) Mexican actress Adriana Paz, US singer and actress Selena Gomez, US actress Zoe Saldana and Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascon pose with the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy award for “Emilia Perez” in the press room during the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 5, 2025. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

Saldaña triumphed in a competitive category, beating fellow nominees Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Margaret Qualley (The Substance), and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave).

Born in Passaic, New Jersey, to Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, Saldaña was raised in Queens and the Dominican Republic. Her artistic journey began as a dancer before transitioning to acting in 1995 with Brooklyn’s Faces theater group and the New York Youth Theater. Her breakout came in Center Stage (1999), blending her dance and acting talents.

Now a household name, Saldaña has appeared in blockbuster franchises like Avatar and Avengers, solidifying her place in cinematic history. With a net worth of $60 million in 2025, she is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

Her award-winning role in Emilia Pérez—a Spanish-language French musical crime comedy directed by Jacques Audiard—marks another milestone in her illustrious career. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, earned critical acclaim for its groundbreaking narrative and diverse cast.

The film tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader’s journey of self-discovery and transformation, and Saldaña’s portrayal of a compassionate lawyer earned her accolades. With its global success, Emilia Pérez not only broke cultural barriers but also secured its place as one of 2024’s most celebrated films.

This Golden Globe victory cements Saldaña’s legacy as a trailblazer and proud representative of her Caribbean heritage on the international stage.