Stories about Caribbean from December, 2013
‘Round the Christmas Tree in Trinidad & Tobago
Tattoo captures the Christmas spirit by posting a video of one of Trinidad and Tobago's most beloved seasonal songs.
Guyana: Family Ties
At this time of year, Guyana-Gyal considers the true meaning of family.
The Caribbean Just Might Be The Next Big Thing in Music
With the recent victories of performers like Tessanne Chin and Bunji Garlin, Caribbean music appears to be emerging as the next big thing.
The Challenges of Family Healthcare in Apatou, French Guiana
Henri Dumoulin, Global Voices contributor, recalls his stay in Apatou, French Guiana, located in the heart of the Amazon Forest. He explains how, as the physician of Mother and Child Health Protection programme there, he had to rely on the informal colloboration with the Suriname health system and navigate the...
Tour Builder, Another Google Service Not Allowed for Cubans
Google maintains that it bases its decision on the provisions of the United States' economic embargo on Cuba.
The Postcolonialist Calls for Submissions on ‘Sites of Home’
A recently launched online magazine and journal, The Postcolonialist, is calling for submissions for the upcoming edition of its academic journal. The Postcolonialist is an inter-disciplinary, multi-lingual publication featuring research, commentary, and creative production from and about postcolonial regions and perspectives. The About page of the website adds: We are an alternative and interactive avenue by which scholars, journalists, writers...
Cuba: Madiba Was Great, But Not Perfect
Cuban blog Without Evasion says the best way in which she can pay tribute to Nelson Mandela is by “imitating him in forgiveness and reconciliation”: I forgive you…for the friendship with…the vilest dictator my people has ever had…for placing your hand –redemptive for your people- on the bloodied shoulders of...
Jamaican Songstress Tessanne Chin Wins “The Voice”
Caribbean netizens are celebrating the victory of Jamaica's Tessanne Chin on the popular music reality show, The Voice - as well they should be - their votes helped her win!
Cubans’ Daily Concerns Trump Controversial Handshake
While the Obama-Raúl thing sent a large part of the exiled Cuban-American community…into an uproar, in Havana [it] was little more than just another bit of news. Iván García offers insight as to why most Cubans overlooked the exchange.
Explaining the Evergrowing Tradition of “Chanté Nwèl” (Singing Christmas) in the French West Indies
Between late November and December 25, a unique tradition is taking place every year in the Francophone Caribbean islands, especially in Martinique and Guadeloupe. “Chanté Nwel” [fr] is a time when people come together to not only sing traditional Christmas songs but also share a meal as a community. Although the...
Trinidad & Tobago: Tech Tips
ICT Pulse shares 5 useful tips to help you get the most out of your computing devices.
Haiti: The Reality of Abortion
The discussion of sex is a taboo in Haitian society. But the discussion of abortion is even more so. Haitian law outlaws the practice in all its forms. Haiti Grassroots Watch explains.
Haiti, Dominican Republic: Discriminatory Ruling
Haiti Chery reports that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ (IACHR) preliminary findings basically state that the “Dominican Constitutional Court Ruling TC168.13 is discriminatory and violates the rights of Dominicans of Haitian descent.”
Barack Obama and Raúl Castro's Handshake at Mandela's Memorial Goes Viral
Reactions to the handshake spread like fire on social media.
Suriname: Trinidad Artist Wins 2013 Prince Claus Award
Srananart's Blog celebrates Trinidadian artist Christopher Cozier's winning of the 2013 Prince Claus Award, which “honors individuals and organizations reflecting a progressive and contemporary approach to the themes of culture and development.”
The Caribbean Ponders the Legacy of Nelson Mandela
Across the Caribbean archipelago, from Trinidad and Tobago to Cuba, regional bloggers reflect on Nelson Mandela's life and legacy.
Cuba Temporarily Reestablishes Consular Services in the United States
The Cuban Interest Section, the country's diplomatic mission in Washington, has temporarily reestablished its consular services until 17 February 2014. The decision comes after M&T Bank Corporation indicated they would postpone closing the Cuban diplomatic mission's accounts in the United States. The official announcement by the Cuban Interest Section is...
“Where the Sea Breathes”: A Letter from Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera
Oscar López Rivera has been imprisoned in the United States for 32 years. In this letter to his his granddaughter Karina he remembers the sea.
What the Situation of Street Children in Port-au-Prince is Telling a Haitian Citizen
Valéry Moise, a Haitian physician and activist, reflects upon the dire situation of street children [fr] in Port-au-Prince : Moi, quand je regarde un enfant des rues briser une vitre, je vois une promesse électorale non tenue, quand je regarde un enfant sans idéal, je vois un gouvernement sans vision,...
A Brief Unity of Purpose: Marching for Puerto Rican Prisoner Oscar López Rivera
Thousands gathered this past November to demand the release of unjustly held political prisoner, Oscar López Rivera. Ángel Carrión shares some thoughts from that day.
Caribbean: Farewell, Nelson Mandela
The announcement of Nelson Mandela's death has dealt a hard blow. Regional bloggers share their thoughts about the passing of one of the world's most enduring icons of peaceful resistance.
About our Caribbean coverage
Janine Mendes Franco is the Caribbean editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
