Stories about Caribbean from October, 2019
Cry of ‘Free the [bleeping] weed!’ leads to arrest of Trinidadian cannabis advocate
"To those who say the war is over, Rowley has promised to decriminalise, tell that to the citizens of this country who are packed 15 man to one stinking cell."
A mud volcano might explode in Trinidad: Are villagers prepared?
When the volcano last erupted in 1997, the village of Piparo was unprepared; if it happens again, residents are doing everything they can to ensure the response will be different.
Kanye West's use of Jamaican symbols sparks national dialogue on ‘branding’
"Successive political administrations have never fully appreciated the economic value of the brand ‘Jamaica’ nor the symbols that [represent] that brand including its flag and its coat of arms..."
Remains of Trinidad and Tobago's First Peoples returned to resting place
The remains of 60 indigenous ancestors were reinterred in a ceremony to properly honour the dead and recognise the importance of the local First Peoples community.
Is Trinidad & Tobago's LED lightbulb initiative a bright idea or a shot in the dark?
It may seem like a good idea in theory, but citizens are concerned that the fiscal measure of providing 400,000 households with LED bulbs is not part of a bigger plan.
Is Rihanna Barbadian or Jamaican? Jamaican Twitter claims the superstar as their own
Barbadian Twitter users poked fun at the Jamaican Dollar exchange rate, so Jamaicans did the next best thing — they claimed Rihanna.
Young Jamaican senator makes ‘inappropriate’ comments in parliament about breast cancer
"How is [discussing] part of a woman's body either appropriate or relevant in a Parliamentary (or any other public/formal discourse)?"
Police raid on rehab centre in Trinidad reveals inhumane conditions
Scores of people were found caged and mistreated in a rehabilitation centre that at one time received millions of dollars in government assistance.
Trinidad's First Peoples say the indigenous name of airport should not be changed
The Trinidad prime minister's announcement about a possible airport name change from Piarco International Airport to the Eric Williams Airport has left the public divided.
Despite last year's ‘alternative’ win, Guadeloupe's Maryse Condé passed over for 2019 Nobel Prize in Literature
The odds appeared to be in Condé's favour, but the Swedish Academy instead named Austrian author Peter Handke winner of the 2019 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Trinidad and Tobago president's stance on unmarried partners faces backlash
Not legally married? Don't expect your partner to receive an invitation to an event at President's House — unless President Weekes reconsiders her "Victorian era" decision.
The Caribbean speaks out on the climate crisis
Caribbean activists are joining the global movement to demand action on climate change; after all, island nations are on the frontline of the crisis with the most adverse effects.
About our Caribbean coverage
Janine Mendes Franco is the Caribbean editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
