I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from May, 2010
Jamaica: Carrying on, but Counting the Cost
Jamaica is doing its level best to carry on in the face of the disorder that the signing of an extradition order for suspected drug and arms trafficker Christopher 'Dudus' Coke has caused in the island nation's capital.
Jamaica: Dudus, Security & Seaga
In the Tivoli Gardens area of Jamaica's capital city – home turf of alleged drug lord Michael Christopher “Dudus” Coke and epicentre of the unrest that has gripped the Caribbean nation for the past several days – the loyalties are clear, at least from those who care to be vocal about...
Trinidad & Tobago: Offering Advice
Raymond Ramcharitar has some advice for the People's National Movement, the political party that now moves from government into opposition.
St. Lucia: Gun Violence
Sun, Rain, Or… is saddened by the recent spate of gun violence in St. Lucia, the “up close and personal shootings…”
Jamaica: Resetting the Clock
“Jamaica's bizarre socio-economic clock cannot turn back but it can be reset”: Living in Barbados suggest the current situation “may be the spur to find ways to start dealing with that process.”
Jamaica: Latest Updates
Twitter has been buzzing with the latest developments regarding Jamaica's state of emergency. Things began to look "much better" late yesterday: wanted men were turning themselves in, one international mainstream television station was reportedly going to "apologise for [its] 'inaccurate report'" (although some tweeple were of the opinion that "an apology [was] not enough") and all seemed quiet in areas that had previously been fierce battlegrounds.
Jamaica: Situation Improving?
Four days into the state of emergency imposed on the Jamaican capital, the situation is becoming clearer - not simply in terms of statistics - but in understanding the chain of events that led to the current impasse. There are also reports that life in the capital city may slowly be returning to normal.
Bahamas: Waiting on the Budget
“The Prime Minister has hinted at some austerity measures or belt tightening, but, on top of that we're told additional taxes are on the way”: Weblog Bahamas is waiting to see what the country's 2010-11 Budget, due to be presented today, will hold.
Trinidad & Tobago: Seeing Sue
“Sue, the 67 million-year-old-Tyrannosaurus Rex, is currently visiting our shores”: MEP Caribbean Publishers thinks “this is a great opportunity for the public not only to learn more about this dinosaur, but to see and experience the size of this ancient predator in person.”
Jamaica: Bloggers Look at the Lighter Side
West Indians have a saying, "If you don't laugh, you'll cry." Certainly, the current wave of violence in Jamaica - is nothing to laugh about. But after days of sobering news, bloggers clearly needed to seek out the amusing aspects of an otherwise untenable situation.
Jamaica: Women of Tivoli Gardens
“If these women pass on this attitude of craven gratitude and dependence on a don to their children, how will the cycle ever be broken?”: Islandista looks at the role of women in the Jamaica crisis.
Trinidad & Tobago: Indian Arrival Day
“Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 30th May, commemorates the arrival of the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad, in May 1845, on the ship Fatel Razack”: TriniGourmet.com will be commemorating the occasion with a few tasty Indian dishes.
Jamaica: Citizen Media Follows the Standoff
A study in extremes is perhaps how the last 24 hours in the Caribbean region could be adequately described: As Trinidad and Tobago peacefully went to the polls and elected its first female Prime Minister, Jamaica was facing more violent unrest.
Trinidad & Tobago: Election Graffiti
Copy Book Page posts photos of Trinidad and Tobago's election graffiti, adding: “Apparently Graffiti is only legal and accepted around election time.”
Jamaica: Don't Worry
Jamaica's Annie Paul tweets breaking news about the country's state of emergency.
Trinidad & Tobago: People's Party Position
Afra Raymond thinks that in the context of today's national elections, “with the distinct probability of a victory by the united PP…it is timely to consider the way in which that group might handle the bailout [of the CL Financial group].”
Trinidad & Tobago: Ways of Voting
“YOU COULD vote based on race…You can vote about party and not people…You can vote people…You could vote issues…”, all of which, says Tattoo, “leads us to another method of voting. You can vote to make a point.” Coffeewallah, meanwhile, doesn't care how you vote; she simply wants you to...
Bermuda: Happy Bermuda Day!
Vexed Bermoothes wishes everyone a Happy Bermuda Day.
Jamaica: State of Emergency
Things are starting to unravel in Jamaica, as the drug money link between dons and politicians, starts to get the media attention it deserves. The United States want Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke – the notorious don man of Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston for trafficking drugs and guns. But will the ruling...
Trinidad & Tobago: Changing the Mindset
Barbados-based B.C. Pires says that “nothing good…can emerge in the long run” from Trinidad and Tobago's upcoming elections: “Trinidad's whole problem is that it thinks only in the short term, if it thinks at all; which is exactly why it continually finds itself in the position of having to eject...
Trinidad & Tobago: On the Issues
Know TnT.com blogs about “four issues arising on the campaign trail this year.”
