Stories about Caribbean
6 February 2019
Caribbean nations determined to have a say on Venezuela
"But what happens in Venezuela is of extreme geopolitical importance to the Caribbean region, and CARICOM has been flexing its muscles lately."
30 January 2019
The beef between two Trinidad and Tobago soca stars is a nod to age-old musical traditions
Lyrical sparring is intricately woven into the origins of calypso music, and its modern-day hybrid, soca.
29 January 2019
Divided they stand: Caribbean nations take sides on Venezuela
Maduro reportedly told members of the diplomatic corps that he had spoken to CARICOM leaders and was "open to mediation talks in 'Trinidad and Tobago or wherever'. . .
Displaced farmers’ coalition reclaims their road to sustainable livelihoods 9 years after Haiti’s devastating earthquake
"We had nothing to fall back on, nothing to sell at the market. [...] What we suffered through the most was the loss of our dignity."
25 January 2019
Caribbean nations hesitate to recognise Venezuela's Guaidó
"If the regional powers break Venezuela, guess who picks up the pieces? Neighbouring countries, that's who."
20 January 2019
Tobago's tourism industry faces setback as Sandals hotel chain walks away from a deal
Talks broke down on a major deal for a Sandals resort in Tobago. Environmentalists see it as a win, but tourism has to swallow its disappointment and press on.
29 December 2018
A ‘no-confidence’ vote finds Guyana politics in uncharted territory
After a surprising "no-confidence" vote, Guyana's president and members of the cabinet must resign, according to the constitution — a first for the country's politics.
19 December 2018
Ten quintessential Christmas tunes from Trinidad & Tobago
Some seasonal songs from Trinidad and Tobago that are sure to put you in a Christmas kind of mood — and that you won't hear anywhere else!
10 December 2018
Buju Banton, controversial dancehall star, comes home — but is Jamaica ready?
"In light of the adversity I have encountered, I feel the need to stress that my only desire going forward is peace and love."
6 December 2018
Major drug bust highlights the no-nonsense style of Trinidad & Tobago's top cop
"As much as we may wish it to be otherwise, Gary Griffith is not the answer to our prayers but the symptom of our failure."
5 December 2018
Trinidad & Tobago court rules Olympian's dreams were killed by ‘biased’ gymnastics federation
The whole fiasco had more twists and turns than a gymnastics routine, but many believe Williams' forced withdrawal was illegal and her attorneys have been fighting for justice ever since.
17 November 2018
Cultural activist from Guyana's Wapishana tribe tries to revive a near-extinct language
"If we weaken indigenous culture, we weaken an integral part of Guyanese culture."
16 November 2018
Guyana's transgender community celebrates the overturning of an archaic cross-dressing law
Activists called the ruling “a clarion call to engage state actors on how the law engenders social and economic exclusion of disadvantaged groups”.
14 November 2018
Jamaican dancehall artist hits a nerve by ‘bleaching’ her skin — did fans get the message?
"I wanted to create awareness of 'Colorism' and it was ... done intentionally to create shock value so that I could ... deliver the message in my music," Spice said.
13 November 2018
The Caribbean Court of Justice loses again — this time with voter apathy and distrust
"People do not trust the power institutions, the hierarchies in the region — and that's not going to change for a long time to come."
31 October 2018
For Calypso History Month in Trinidad & Tobago, #metoo does a double-take on empowering tunes
Readers offer a few suggestions for calypsos that make female empowerment their priority.
23 October 2018
Trinidad & Tobago loses ‘The Mighty Shadow’, the ‘bassman’ of calypso
"When all other calypsonians in the early 1970s had six sheets of music, Shadow had seven, the additional one for the bass guitar."
21 October 2018
Heavy rains and flooding turned parts of Trinidad & Tobago into disaster zones
"Residents are trapped. My road is cut off completely. Not even trucks can access the highway, the water is so high.”
18 October 2018
For Calypso History Month in Trinidad and Tobago, six tunes for the #metoo era
In a genre that has often painted women in a negative light, the tunes that broke the mould are etched forever in the national consciousness.
1 October 2018
Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore, Trinidadian musician who took steel pan music ‘by storm’, dies
"This is the equivalent of a Brahms, Bach or Beethoven passing. This is huge. This is a loss."
About our Caribbean coverage
Janine Mendes Franco is the Caribbean editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
