I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco
‘Jumbo,’ Trinidad & Tobago's treasured ‘Nuts Man,’ leaves lessons of patriotism
“Jumbo [was] plying his trade, but was also totally involved and engaged. He spoke about sport from a position of knowledge, and he helped make the experience fun."
With the death of former head of the public service Reginald Dumas, Trinidad & Tobago loses a revered patriot
"He had conflicts with leaders at all national levels, born of his desire to do the right thing, and to hold individuals to the highest standards of performance and competence."
On International Women’s Day 2024, Jamaica's focus is on protecting women and girls
In Jamaica, as in other Caribbean territories where gender-based violence and femicide are pressing concerns, the notion that women's rights are human rights takes on a more urgent tone.
The year Palestine ‘played mas’ in Trinidad & Tobago
Despite the fact that Trinidad and Tobago does not officially recognise the Palestinian state, support for Palestine has been building, eventually coming into full view during the country's Carnival celebrations.
Tobago continues to grapple with oil spill caused by unidentified tanker
Just prior to the much anticipated Carnival long weekend, an overturned ship has caused an oil spill, polluting Tobago's turquoise waters and causing an environmental hazard and national emergency.
A few soca songs to take you from start to finish of Trinidad & Tobago Carnival
With Ash Wednesday falling on February 14 this year, the Carnival season has been a short one, but artists have taken it as a challenge to pump out some infectious music.
‘Remember the name': The unlikely triumph of Guyana's Shamar Joseph has brought joy to West Indies cricket fans
For many fans of the game, the moment was like a return to the glory days of West Indies cricket, leaving some to wonder whether they were witnessing a renaissance.
Jamaica is developing, but at what cost?
Increasingly large developments along Jamaica’s idyllic north coast, a popular tourist destination, have local environmentalists concerned about several recurring issues observed in environmental decision-making in the country.
Jamaica-born Jason Allen-Paisant is the latest Caribbean poet to win the esteemed T.S. Eliot Prize
"A historic night for Caribbean poetry": His win makes it the third time in five years that a poet with Caribbean roots has won the prestigious prize.
When it comes to FOMO, in Trinidad & Tobago the struggle is real
A former minister of finance resorted to jumping a fence in order to gain entry to the state funeral of former prime minister Basdeo Panday, leaving social media users stunned.
On the first day of 2024, former Trinidad & Tobago prime minister Basdeo Panday dies
Panday "[created] labour and political history and [became] one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most compelling post-independence figures.”
Year in review: In 2023, the climate crisis was top of mind for the Caribbean
Of the many stories Global Voices Caribbean covered this year, the lion's share have been linked to global warming, and the importance of climate justice to the region's survival.
As Venezuela postures on reclamation of the Essequibo region, Guyana prepares for ‘worst case scenario’
Prior to the referendum, Venezuela had only alluded to its intention to annexe the Essequibo; by December 5, Maduro's social media showed him holding up a new “official” map of Venezuela.
Steelpan virtuoso Earl Rodney dies at 85, leaving ‘quality’ music and questions as to whether Trinidad & Tobago could be doing more to honour its cultural icons
He was always pushing musical boundaries [...] contributing to a new representation of local music in which he fused African rhythms and American funk, merged with pan and percussion.
The closer Venezuela gets to voting on annexation of the Essequibo, the more tense the border dispute with Guyana becomes
Venezuela will hold a referendum to gauge support for the annexation of the Essequibo region, and Guyana has petitioned the International Court of Justice to stop the vote.
‘The eagle has landed’ and Trinidad and Tobago social media users are thrilled
It's a phrase that gained widespread recognition during one of the most historic events of the 20th century. It's also a phrase that Trinbagonians use to communicate they've been paid.
‘Well, well, well': What the fuss about Trinidad & Tobago's national anthem is all about
Trinidad and Tobago soca singer Iwer George's use of the country's national anthem in his Carnival 2024 track “Happy People” made many people decidedly unhappy.
What is a Jab Molassie, and does it have a place in promoting Tobago's tourism offering?
The masquerade is rooted in rebellion, and various iterations of this devil character exist throughout the Caribbean.
How Dominica's designation of the world's first sperm whale sanctuary can help fight climate change
More sperm whale excrement equals more plankton, which translates into more CO2, a greenhouse gas, being trapped.
Open letter to Caribbean leaders urges them to make COP28 transformative
The signatories identified three key areas to help address broader issues the region grapples with, including inequality, poverty, and "staggering levels of debt," which are exacerbated by climate change.
This ‘Mystery House’ highlights the characters of Caribbean folklore
Mille Fleurs, the headquarters of the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago, has been transformed into Kay Mistè — the Mystery House — to encourage people to learn more about Caribbean folklore.