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Cleveland Clinic:  Are There Home Remedies for Kidney Stones?

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Make these lifestyle changes to help prevent kidney stones

If you have kidney stones, you’ve more than likely left no stone unturned when it comes to finding ways to alleviate your pain.

That pain, and other symptoms, comes from the blockage a kidney stone can cause. And it’s typically when the stone is traveling through your ureter, the tube that drains your kidney into your bladder. When the stone causes a blockage, your urine backs up into your kidney and causes swelling and pain.

Whether it’s the size of a grain of sand or a quarter, your kidney stone can be painful.

So, can you get rid of kidney stones at home?

While there are home remedies that may help prevent stones, there isn’t a magic potion or at-home treatment that can dissolve the most commonly seen stones.

Certified nurse practitioner Tiffany Loboda, CNP of Cleveland Clinic, talks about ways to prevent kidney stones, how to manage a stone at home and when you need to see your doctor.

How to tell if you have kidney stones

Kidney stones are solid, often jagged, or even smooth-shaped, masses or crystals made of minerals and salts that form in your urinary tract.

Kidney stones can be caused by several factors like dehydration, diet, medical conditions, medications or genetics. There are different types of stones, too, like calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid and struvite. Calcium oxalate is the most common kind, making up about 70% of stones.

“Those types of stones, along with others less common are not dissolvable,” says Loboda.

The most common symptom of kidney stones is pain in your back, abdomen or your side. Other symptoms include:

  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Blood in your urine.
  • Pain with urination.
  • Unable to urinate.
  • The need to urinate more often.
  • Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.
  • Fevers or chills.

“These symptoms typically occur when the stone moves out of the kidney,” says Loboda. “Stones that are within the kidneys generally don’t cause pain. The pain occurs when they begin to migrate out of the kidney and cause blockage.”

So, if you can’t dissolve your kidney stones, what can you do?

Work on prevention, advises Loboda. A few lifestyle changes can help decrease the risk of forming more stones in the future.

Drink fluids

The No. 1 reason kidney stones form is that you aren’t drinking enough fluids.

Dehydration is a big factor,” says Loboda. “Staying well-hydrated is one of the most important factors for prevention. We always want people to drink plenty of fluids, unless there is a medical reason they are restricted from doing so.”

You should focus on having about 2.5 to 3 liters of urine output a day for adequate stone prevention, which translates to drinking about 80 to 100 ounces a day for the average person.

The internet is full of information on other fluids that can help with kidney stones, but for the most part, sticking with water is ideal.

But a few ingredients show promise, though the research is limited:

“Water is obviously the best thing, but all fluids count,” notes Loboda.

Consume citrus

Fruits and vegetables like lemon, limes, tomatoes, melons and oranges are great for keeping your levels of citrate high.

“Citrus is important because it binds calcium in the urine,” says Loboda. “Citrus can also dissolve some crystals before they have a chance to even turn into a stone.”

Whether you put a squeeze of lemon in your water or chop up tomatoes for your salad, it’s a good idea to incorporate these foods into your diet. You can even use a concentrated version of citrus juice. Loboda recommends about 4 ounces of concentrated juice to about 32 ounces of water.

“Think of citrus as a shield,” says Loboda. “So the more citrus you consume, the stronger your shield is going to be to protect you from stones.”

You can also get citrate in other ways like drinking Crystal Light® and clear-colored soda like Sprite® or Squirt®.

“Those drinks have a good amount of citrate. Clear sodas don’t carry the high risk for stones like darker colored sodas,” says Loboda. “The syrup in the dark sodas like Pepsi® and Coke® contain a lot of phosphoric acid, which can acidify the urine. Soda, regardless of type, can contain a lot of sugar, so it’s best to only use these in moderation.”

Those with conditions like Crohn’s disease or those who’ve had bariatric surgery may have trouble absorbing citrate from diet alone. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe a medication to boost citrate levels.

Don’t be afraid of calcium

Since the most common stone is calcium oxalate, many people think that avoiding or limiting their calcium intake helps prevent kidney stones

“Calcium is not the enemy for stones,” assures Loboda. “Calcium binds oxalates in the gut. If you restrict dietary calcium, then the oxalates you’re consuming aren’t going to leave through the digestive tract via stool. They’re going to get absorbed and then come out in your urine, which is not what we want.”

You should aim for about 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day. The goal isn’t to overconsume calcium, just get the recommended amounts.

Foods that contain a high amount of oxalates include spinach, beets, rhubarb and nuts. Black tea should only be consumed in moderation.

Watch your sodium intake

Following a low-sodium diet, about 2,000 to 2,300 milligrams a day, can help prevent kidney stones. Having too much sodium in your diet can trigger kidney stones by increasing the amount of calcium in your urine.

Watch the types of food you eat. Pizza, pastas, breads, bacon, sausage — foods that are processed, preserved, cured, canned or pickled have high amounts of sodium.

“We really get the vast majority of our daily sodium from just what’s contained within the foods that we’re eating,” says Loboda. “And unfortunately, a lot of things contain a lot of sodium.”

One way to cut down on the amount of salt in your diet is to start reading labels and thinking about serving sizes.

“Pay attention to serving size on the labels, that’s something that can trip you up,” says Loboda. “If you don’t read the serving size, then you might look at the label and see 100 milligrams of sodium but maybe there’s three or four servings in that package. It’s important to pay attention to both.”

When to see your doctor for your kidney stones

If you think you have a kidney stone, it’s important to see your doctor. If you’re in immense pain, have uncontrollable nausea or vomiting, a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.33 Celsius), difficulties urinating or are passing thick bright red or clot-filled urine, head to the emergency room.

For nonurgent stone matters, talking to your doctor or a surgeon who specializes in treating and preventing stones like a urologist or nephrologist can help get you on the path to treatment and prevention.

The discussion on prevention often begins with conducting a 24-hour urine analysis.

“A 24-hour urine analysis gives us specifics about your risk factors,” explains Loboda. “We can determine what could be in the diet that can be increasing the risk for stones or causing them to form. It really enables us to come up with an individualized plan for prevention.”

It’s important to note that most people who have a kidney stone have a high chance of developing them again.

“If you don’t start focusing on prevention early on, stones can grow and turn from a very small problem into a potentially large problem,” cautions Loboda.

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Caribbean News

850 Fish Pots in the Making: Further Support Helps Fishers Rebuild Their Livelihoods After Hurricane Melissa

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Whitehouse, Westmoreland, Jamaica – May 28, 2026 — Continuing its support to hurricane-affected fishing communities, the Sandals Foundation has partnered with Good360 to equip 170 fishers from Belmont in Westmoreland and Galleon and Parrottee in St. Elizabeth with critical mesh wire—materials that will be transformed into as many as 850 fish pots, further strengthening livelihoods and local food supply across Jamaica’s western coastline.

The wire, valued at J$2.97 million, supports the coastal districts where Hurricane Melissa dismantled fishing gear, disrupted income streams, and placed added strain on already vulnerable food systems. The initiative will be implemented through local fishing leaders, who will oversee the equitable distribution of materials to those most impacted by the Category 5 storm.

This latest distribution builds on a series of targeted interventions delivered by the philanthropic organization over the past six months. In November, the Sandals Foundation distributed 120 rolls of fish wire and 6,720 litres of gasoline courtesy of RUBiS Energy Jamaica to over 100 fishers in Whitehouse and Old Bay. The intervention enabled the production of up to 600 fish pots and the restart of fishing operations.  Earlier this year, a partnership with Good360 also saw the provision of more than 50 generators to fishing villages and schools to continue the recovery process.

“Rebuilding takes root when people are able to earn again,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation. “For fishers, that begins with the tools to return to sea. This continued support is about restoring independence, strengthening communities, and ensuring that the systems people rely on every day can function again.”

Recovery from a storm like Hurricane Melissa takes months, sometimes years,” said Morgan Loomis, Vice President of Disaster Response & Recovery at Good360. “For coastal communities, the storm destroyed people’s homes and livelihoods overnight. Our work with the Sandals Foundation is changing that reality. When fisherfolk have access to critical materials like fishing wire, the ripple effects reach the entire community. Fishers get back to work. Pot makers have orders to fill. Families have income. Children stay in school. That is what meaningful recovery looks like in action,” she said.

Across the Caribbean, coastal fishing communities play an outsized role in national food security and local economies. Strengthening their recovery is not just about rebuilding individual livelihoods—it is about reinforcing the systems that sustain entire populations.

Because when the sea begins to provide again, communities begin to steady.

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Butterfield Announces Agreement to Acquire Control of CIBC Caribbean in $1.8 Billion Transaction

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Transaction unites two premier, full-service banking and wealth management platforms with complementary experience in international financial centers and attractive Caribbean markets to create a $29 billion financial institution

 

Hamilton, Bermuda and St. Michael, Barbados, May 28, 2026 – The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited (“Butterfield”) (NYSE: NTB | BSX: NTB.BH) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CIBC’s 91.7% interest in CIBC Caribbean Bank Limited (“CIBC Caribbean”), a relationship bank with a longstanding history serving communities across the Caribbean, to create a leading banking and wealth management platform in international financial centers and attractive Caribbean markets, with approximately $29 billion in assets. The transaction brings together two complementary banks with deep roots and established relationships across their combined footprint with heightened capacity, greater diversification and scalable growth to drive long-term value for all stakeholders.

Butterfield and CIBC Caribbean’s expanded capabilities and scale are expected to provide enhanced corporate, personal and wealth management services across their combined client bases. Clients can expect greater ability to process cross-border payments, increased consumer and merchant banking capabilities, and continued investments in technology and digital banking infrastructure. Butterfield will maintain both organizations’ operational footprints, including CIBC Caribbean’s regional headquarters in Barbados, ensuring continuity for customers and employees. Butterfield is also committed to its and CIBC Caribbean’s philanthropic, financial education, and sustainability initiatives in each of their geographies, which will continue to provide outsized, tangible and mutually beneficial financial impacts for the combined company and its communities.

Michael Collins, Butterfield’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since Butterfield’s 2016 listing on the NYSE, we have successfully grown and enhanced profitability through bank and trust acquisitions. This deal combines two storied and complementary banks, with significant local scale advantages and time-honored customer relationships in their respective core jurisdictions. The transaction will offer both scale and diversification to the benefit of all stakeholders, positioning Butterfield as a leading independent bank and wealth manager operating across international financial centers and attractive Caribbean markets. I look forward to welcoming our talented new colleagues and valued clients.”

Mark St. Hill, Chief Executive Officer of CIBC Caribbean, added: “For our clients, employees and communities, this combination brings together two organizations with shared values and a common focus on relationship banking, innovating and community impact. We look forward to building on our legacy as the region’s champion in financial services.”

Harry Culham, President and CEO, CIBC, commented: “The entire CIBC Caribbean team led by Mark St. Hill has built a strong, client-focused bank across the region, and we look forward to realizing the strategic benefits of this transaction to deliver more for all stakeholders.”

Transaction Details

The total consideration to be paid for CIBC Caribbean will be comprised of $1,091 million in cash and $703 million in Butterfield shares valued by reference to Butterfield’s 10-day NYSE VWAP of $55.66 as of May 27, 2026, for an aggregate purchase price of $1,794 million, or $1.14 per CIBC Caribbean share.

Under the terms of the agreement, which have been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Butterfield, Butterfield will acquire CIBC Investments (Cayman) Limited, the holding company for CIBC’s 91.7% interest in CIBC Caribbean. Butterfield will subsequently commence a mandatory take-over bid for the remaining 8.3% of total outstanding shares of CIBC Caribbean held by minority shareholders, with the objective of acquiring full ownership of CIBC Caribbean, subject to applicable law and regulatory requirements.

CIBC Caribbean’s minority shareholders will be offered equivalent economic terms as CIBC, and will also have the option to elect to receive up to 100% of their consideration in Butterfield shares, providing them with the opportunity to maintain the entirety of their investment in the combined organization, should they choose to do so. Houlihan Lokey, acting as financial advisor to the Special Committee of CIBC Caribbean’s Board of Directors, has provided an opinion to the Special Committee with respect to the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration to be offered to CIBC Caribbean’s minority shareholders in the mandatory take-over bid. Assuming minority shareholders elect the same mix of cash and shares as CIBC, following completion of the take-over bid they would collectively own approximately 2% of Butterfield.

In connection with the transaction, Butterfield has obtained commitments for $700 million of Tier 2 capital-qualifying subordinated debt financing expected to be raised prior to closing. Following completion of the transaction, the combined company is expected to maintain capital levels significantly above applicable regulatory thresholds on a consolidated basis, with a pro forma Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio above 12%, and total capital above 19% at closing.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to receipt of Butterfield shareholder and regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Following the transaction, Butterfield’s ordinary shares will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX), and Butterfield intends to undertake additional secondary share listings on the Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE), the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX), and the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE), subject to local listing and regulatory requirements.

Following completion of the transaction, CIBC will own an approximately 22% stake in the combined entity. Under the terms of Butterfield and CIBC’s shareholder agreement, CIBC will then initially have the right to appoint two directors to Butterfield’s Board. The shareholder agreement will also provide for certain lockup restrictions with respect to CIBC’s stake in Butterfield and include customary standstill obligations and registration rights.

The Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) will continue to serve as the consolidated regulatory supervisor of Butterfield across all of its locations. Butterfield will also collaborate with all relevant jurisdictional authorities to ensure continuity, market confidence, and access to high-quality financial services within each jurisdiction.

Financial Highlights

  • Total purchase price of $1,794 million, or $1.14 per CIBC Caribbean share, representing 106% of CIBC Caribbean’s tangible book value as of January 31, 2026
  • Consideration is 61% cash ($1,091 million) and 39% ($703 million) Butterfield shares
  • Consideration per CIBC Caribbean share of $0.6918 in cash and 0.008008 in Butterfield shares based on the 10-day NYSE VWAP of $55.66 as of May 27, 2026
  • Butterfield has obtained commitments for $700 million of Tier 2 capital-qualifying subordinated debt financing
  • Pro forma Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio above 12%, and total capital above 19% at closing
  • 12% expected accretion to GAAP EPS in year 1 with fully phased-in synergies, excluding integration costs
  • 15% expected accretion to cash EPS in year 1 with fully phased-in synergies, excluding integration costs, rate marks and transaction-related amortization
  • 10% expected accretion to Butterfield’s tangible book value per share
  • Internal rate of return of 20%+
  • Pre-tax cost savings expected to reach an annual run rate of approximately $49 million once fully phased in by 2030

 Advisors

Barclays is serving as lead financial advisor to Butterfield, and Sullivan & Cromwell, Carey Olsen and Lex Caribbean are serving as legal advisors. BofA Securities is serving as financial advisor to Butterfield’s Board of Directors.

H/Advisors is serving as communications advisor to Butterfield.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Torys LLP and Chancery Chambers are serving as legal advisors to CIBC.

CIBC Capital Markets is serving as financial advisor to CIBC Caribbean, and Mayer Brown LLP is serving as legal advisor. Houlihan Lokey is serving as financial advisor to the Special Committee of CIBC Caribbean’s Board of Directors.

Finer Points Consultants is serving as communications advisor to CIBC Caribbean.

Investor Call

Butterfield will host a conference call for investors and analysts on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 8:15 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the transaction.

Dial-in information:  +1 (844) 855 9501 (toll-free US) or +1 (412) 858 4603 (international)

Conference ID:  Butterfield Group

Live audio webcast:  A live audio webcast of the call can be accessed via Butterfield’s investor relations page on Butterfield’s website at https://www.butterfieldgroup.com/investor-relations/events-presentations

Replay: An audio replay of the call will be available at https://www.butterfieldgroup.com/investor-relations/events-presentations

Website

You can also learn more about today’s announcement at https://www.butterfieldgroup.com/future

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and include statements with respect to, among other things, our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, including, without limitation, statements regarding the proposed acquisition of CIBC Caribbean by Butterfield; the expected timing, structure, terms and completion of the proposed transaction; the expected form and mix of consideration, including the issuance of Butterfield ordinary shares; any acquisition of shares from minority shareholders of CIBC Caribbean or related compulsory acquisition, squeeze-out or similar process; the expected ownership, governance, management, capital, regulatory and operating profile of Butterfield following the proposed transaction; the expected financing of the proposed transaction, including the amount, terms and timing of the proposed subordinated debt financing; and the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including expected scale, diversification, cost savings, synergies, earnings accretion, tangible book value per share accretion, capital generation, regulatory capital ratios, risk-weighted assets, liquidity, deposit mix, market position and other financial and operating impacts.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Butterfield’s control, which may cause the actual results, performance, capital, ownership, financial condition or achievements of Butterfield to be materially different from future results, performance, capital, ownership, financial condition or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Butterfield’s ability to successfully complete the proposed acquisition of CIBC Caribbean on the anticipated terms or timeline or at all; Butterfield’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction in the expected timeframes or at all, including cost savings, synergies, capital and balance sheet optimization initiatives, earnings accretion, and tangible book value per share accretion; Butterfield’s ability to successfully integrate CIBC Caribbean’s businesses, operations, systems, controls, compliance programs, risk management framework, personnel and culture into those of Butterfield; the risk that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the failure of any of the conditions to the proposed transaction to be satisfied or waived; the failure to obtain required shareholder, regulatory, governmental, securities exchange, exchange-control or other approvals, or delays in obtaining such approvals; the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions, restrictions or requirements that could adversely affect Butterfield, CIBC Caribbean or the expected benefits of the proposed transaction potentially materially or that any proposed conditions, restrictions or requirements or other actions of regulatory or governmental bodies or securities exchanges could delay or prevent the closing of the proposed transactions; the risk that any minority shareholder offer, compulsory acquisition, squeeze-out or similar process is delayed, not completed or completed on different terms than expected; revenues following the proposed transaction being lower than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption, including difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients, depositors, vendors, suppliers, regulators and other business partners, being greater than expected; risks associated with the disruption of management’s attention from Butterfield’s ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; reputational risks and potential adverse reactions to the announcement, pendency or completion of the proposed transaction; the outcome of any legal, regulatory or shareholder proceedings, inquiries or investigations that may be instituted or arise in connection with the proposed transaction; the possibility that the proposed transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected transaction, integration, restructuring, financing, litigation, regulatory, tax, accounting or other costs; dilution caused by the issuance of additional Butterfield ordinary shares in connection with the proposed transaction; changes in Butterfield’s share price, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, capital markets or other market conditions that may affect the transaction financing or expected financial impacts of the proposed transaction; the risk that any subordinated debt or other transaction financing is not obtained on the expected terms, timing or at all; and the risk that assumptions underlying pro forma financial information, purchase accounting, credit marks, fair value marks, integration costs, cost savings, synergies, capital ratios, earnings accretion, tangible book value per share accretion, return metrics and other financial impacts prove to be inaccurate.

Other factors that may impact Butterfield’s future results, performance, financial condition or achievements include worldwide and regional economic conditions, including economic growth and general business conditions in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Barbados, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad and Tobago, the broader Atlantic, Caribbean and other markets in which Butterfield or CIBC Caribbean operates; fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, monetary policy, foreign exchange rates, capital markets, tourism, real estate markets and sovereign credit ratings, including a decline in Bermuda’s sovereign credit rating; any sudden liquidity crisis; changes in customer behavior, including customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices; unfavorable developments concerning asset quality, credit quality, loan losses, non-performing loans, collateral values, loan concentrations, sovereign exposures, residential mortgage risk weighting, reserves, funding costs, liquidity and deposit flows; competitive product and pricing pressures; security risks, including cybersecurity, data privacy, fraud, financial crime, anti-money laundering and sanctions risks; the impact, extent and timing of technological changes, systems conversions and operational resilience initiatives; risks relating to the success of Butterfield’s updated systems and platforms; capital management activities; changes in laws, regulations, accounting standards, tax laws, regulatory capital or liquidity requirements and supervisory expectations; potential impacts of climate change, hurricanes and other natural disasters; compliance with regulatory requirements; and other factors.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “indicate,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “point to,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” “contemplate” and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements in this disclosure are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our SEC reports and filings, including under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and in any subsequent reports furnished or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such reports are available upon request from Butterfield, or from the SEC including through the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements made by Butterfield are current views as at the date they are made. Except as otherwise required by law, Butterfield assumes no obligation and does not undertake to review, update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements included in this disclosure, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements made by Butterfield in this disclosure. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, and should only be viewed as historical data.

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CARICOM Presses for Peace as Hormuz Conflict Drives Up Caribbean Costs 

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May 22, 2026 – The Caribbean Community is warning that the escalating conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is now directly threatening Caribbean economies, driving up the cost of fuel, food and freight across a region heavily dependent on imports.

In a statement issued this week, CARICOM expressed “serious concern” over the worsening hostilities in the Middle East and the growing instability affecting one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

CARICOM said it is alarmed by: “the severe loss of life, threats to civil infrastructure, and the instability in global markets” resulting from the conflict.

The regional bloc warned that disruption in maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz is reverberating across the global economy through: “energy markets, supply chains and increased freight costs.”

For Caribbean citizens, those consequences are already becoming painfully visible.

In Nassau, gasoline prices have surged again, with regular fuel now nearing or exceeding seven dollars per gallon at some stations. Consumers in other CARICOM countries are also reporting higher transportation costs, rising grocery bills and mounting pressure on household budgets.

The fear among regional leaders is that the crisis is far from over.

Roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the most strategically important waterways in global trade. Analysts warn prolonged disruption could trigger even higher global inflation and deeper supply chain instability.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has now warned that the crisis could become a: “systemic agrifood shock” capable of triggering a severe global food price crisis within six to twelve months.

The Caribbean is especially vulnerable because of its dependence on imported fuel, imported food and imported manufactured goods.

A recent UN regional analysis warned that shockwaves from the Middle East conflict are already reaching Caribbean nations, where rising oil prices and freight costs are increasing the price of imported food, electricity and transportation.

Global institutions are also sounding increasingly dire warnings.

The World Bank projects energy prices could surge by 24 percent this year because of the conflict, while fertilizer prices may jump by more than 30 percent — increases likely to feed directly into higher food costs worldwide.

The International Monetary Fund has meanwhile warned the global economy could face a “much worse outcome” if the conflict drags into 2027 and oil prices continue climbing.

CARICOM is now calling for all parties to respect international law and preserve safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Community stressed that transit passage:  “should not be contingent on any license, levy, or authorization,” and warned that bordering states should not “hamper or suspend” the movement of vessels through the corridor.

CARICOM also called for:  “cessation of hostilities” and urged “de-escalation and restraint by all parties.”

But for many Caribbean citizens, the economic pain is already here.

And with fuel nearing seven dollars per gallon in parts of The Bahamas, regional governments are facing renewed pressure over cost of living concerns, inflation and the Caribbean’s continued dependence on imported energy and food supplies.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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