I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco
TIME Magazine chooses Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley as one of ‘the world's most influential people’
Mottley's advocacy for the Caribbean at COP 26 cemented her place in the global consciousness as a forward-thinking leader and change maker.
Lisa Allen-Agostini, shortlisted for the 2022 Women's Prize for Fiction, was born to be a ‘Trinidad writer’
The book's message? That women don’t have to stay in abusive relationships: "The shortlisting helps that happen and so I’m grateful for it."
The death of a toddler adds to Trinidad & Tobago's trauma
In the larger context of the violence the country has been experiencing, citizens feared for the child's well being, and the mood in the local blogosphere was tense.
World Press Freedom Day in the Caribbean is a mixed bag
'The environment within which journalists in the Caribbean operate is becoming increasingly perilous.'
Could the proposed return of British Virgin Islands to temporary UK rule be a case of pot, meet kettle?
In a recently concluded Commission of Inquiry into disgraced BVI premier Andrew Fahie's administration, it was recommended that the overseas territory revert to temporary British rule: netizens respond.
Regional social media users cringe after the British Virgin Islands’ premier is arrested on drug charges
'Why has there been no statement from the ruling party regarding the removal or suspension of Andrew Fahie's title of premier?'
What does Jamaican politician Kamina Johnson Smith's bid for Commonwealth secretary-general say about Caribbean political solidarity?
The post of Commonwealth secretary-general is currently held by Patricia Scotland, who is Dominican by birth, and whose re-election the Caribbean community publicly supported ... until Jamaica announced its own candidate.
What Earth Day means to the Global Voices Caribbean team
'On Earth Day, we pause to think about the planet we live on and share with other beings. But that’s just one part of it.'
Just in time for Earth Day, Trinidad & Tobago gets a new bat
Scientists record a new bat species in Trinidad and Tobago, bringing the total number of locally recorded bat species to an astounding 70.
Awards fiasco exposes flaws in Trinidad & Tobago's secondary school entrance exam
The bungling of the score tallying process in Trinidad and Tobago's Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination raises questions of fairness and relevance.
Why hasn't Jamaica made Bob Marley a national hero yet?
Marley's shaping of Black consciousness, “lyrical activism,” representation of reggae and Rastafari, and his “One Love” philosophy were cited as part of the bid to make him a national hero.
As international negotiations end in Jamaica, the threat of deep-sea mining hangs over the world's oceans
From the impact on global fisheries to destruction of carbon storage on the seabed, environmentalists say deep-seabed mining could herald even more catastrophic effects for climate change.
‘Untimely’ death of soca singer Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart leaves Trinidad & Tobago in mourning
Having struggled with health issues and paid his dues in the soca music arena — he was told he was “too black,” “too fat” and “not marketable” — Blaxx's authenticity shone through.
‘We're passing by': A conversation with Haitian contemporary artist Pascale Monnin
As part of a regional exchange for women artists, Monnin has been working on a series that deals with birth, rebirth, and how women's stories fit into that arc.
Opposite ends of a tragedy: The companies involved in Trinidad & Tobago's diving deaths speak out
The diving contractor initially said that state-owned Paria Fuel Trading had been “fully supportive” throughout the rescue process. Now, a new statement places the blame squarely at Paria's doorstep.
Diving tragedy plunges Trinidad & Tobago into mourning and prompts calls for accountability
"Trinidad and Tobago is facing a crisis of leadership at all levels. Unless there is a fundamental redesign of our systems, processes and procedures, tragedy will continue to befall us."
West Indies cricket's super spin bowler, Sonny Ramadhin, dies at 92
With his expert spin bowling, Ramdhin — along with fellow spinner Alf Valentine and the powerful batting of the legendary “three Ws” — helped achieve the West Indies’ first win against England.
‘Mas’ in a time of mourning: How the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival shines through
Carnival designer Robert Young's radical concept for his band Vulgar Fraction's 2022 presentation literally embraces the roots of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival by fashioning costumes made from dried leaves and flowers.
After a 12-hour blackout, Trinidadians wonder if their power supply is a shot in the dark
The power outage was significant, affecting not only electricity supply, but also water and telecommunications.
Death of a Venezuelan infant during sea crossing exposes shortcomings in Trinidad and Tobago's refugee policy
"This incident highlights the plight faced by people on the move during desperate and dangerous journeys to safety."
The ABCs of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, TikTok style
The CarnivALPHABET explores Trinidad and Tobago Carnival-related terms from A to Z, with a dash of humour.
