Stories about Caribbean from February, 2021
Community in Trinidad says ‘No’ to quarry operator targeting area's last untouched watershed
Tired of dealing with the effects of quarrying in the area, including river water "unfit for human use," residents are trying their best to prevent further extraction and environmental degradation.
Could Trinidad & Tobago's COVID-19 travel exemption process be compromising citizens’ rights?
One attorney posited that the government’s ability to regulate borders “is no way in question." However, whether the exercise of that power intersects with citizens' rights remains to be argued.
Trinidad & Tobago’s COVID-19 travel exemption process is demoralising its citizens abroad
Nationals who were unable to make it back home before the country's borders closed following its index case of COVID-19 are now at the mercy of the travel exemption system.
Trinidad & Tobago's problem with gender-based violence
Since the murder of Andrea Bharatt, parliament has passed the Evidence Bill and approved the use of pepper spray for self-defence, but are these measures really addressing the core issue?
Downtown Kingston’s new murals brighten Jamaica’s COVID-19 gloom
Jamaica's creative sector, which had begun to show many 'green shoots' prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, has been particularly hard hit — but it is forging ahead in novel ways.
Barbadian pop superstar Rihanna gets flak for wearing pendant of Hindu god in lingerie post
While some social media users felt the photo was disrespectful and tone deaf, others thought the controversy was much ado about nothing.
President Jovenel Moïse always seems to land on his feet, but what about Haiti?
While political opponents and protesters pressure Jovenel Moïse to vacate office, who holds the key to solve Haiti's uninterrupted crisis?
Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago as examples of how smaller countries have been responding to COVID-19
The Lowy Institute, an Australia-based international think tank, has attempted to deconstruct various countries’ response to the pandemic.
Public pressure helps halt the felling of hundred-year-old rubber trees in Guyana
'Development with consideration for heritage is still development.'
In Trinidad & Tobago, where women are under siege, sometimes even words feel futile
'I want an island where we wake up and board taxis with the certainty that we will not be abducted. I would like to live here and not be afraid.'
Musician Chantal Esdelle on how the pandemic is bringing Trinidad & Tobago Carnival back to itself
'We get to focus on how we want to make [Carnival] work for us again: activity and participation rather than production and consumption.'
About our Caribbean coverage
Janine Mendes Franco is the Caribbean editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
