They are prized by visitors for their gleaming white beaches and four-star hotels. But despite billions in tourist dollars, the islands of the Caribbean are marked by a profound gap between rich and poor that threatens to derail global efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

While it is often lumped in with mainland South and Central America, the Caribbean region faces its own unique cultural, political and economic challenges. These include the situation in Haiti, which is supposed to hold elections at the end of 2005 but remains mired in violence and instability, a surging HIV/AIDS rate second only to sub-Saharan Africa, and the perils posed by climate change and rising sea levels.

Seeking strength in numbers, Caribbean nations are pressing forward this year with key regional integration initiatives like the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and the Caribbean Court of Justice, and the negotiation of a free trade pact between the 15-member Caribbean Community and the South American bloc Mercosur.

IPS reporters across the region bring you the latest news with the service's trademark global perspective and analysis.