I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from September, 2011
Cuba: The Reality of Prison
A former political prisoner blogs about his experience with the Cuban jail system, here.
Trinidad & Tobago: Expenditure & Accountability
“Discussion is revolving around the country’s earnings from our energy resources and the likely size of the next year’s budget, expected to be delivered in early October”: Afra Raymond warns that “without proper control over expenditure, we will continue to lurch from crisis to crisis.”
Cuba: Inequitable Party
Generation Y compares the official distribution of “rental properties, cars, businesses [and] houses” to a pinata at a children's party, saying: “What is most worrying is [that] the…existence of such a mechanism will undoubtedly feed corruption, ‘socialism,’ and put into the hands of government sympathizers the fattest strings for when...
Trinidad & Tobago: Cuban Film at T&T Film Festival
B.C. Pires has a couple more must-see film picks at this year's Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival.
Bahamas: Time to Take Action Against Crime
As a missing child is found dead, Weblog Bahamas says: “I would call on Prime Minister Ingraham to not wait until next Monday to make a statement to the nation on crime. The time to act is now… and we must act swiftly and prudently.”
Cuba: Jailed Activists
Uncommon Sense continues to keep a close eye on three members of the Damas de Blanco who were arrested recently, as well as political prisoner Sara Martha Fonseca, whose son was allegedly attacked after trying to obtain information about his jailed parents.
Jamaica: Upcoming Elections
Bruce Golding yesterday confirmed that he will step down as Prime Minister and Leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, which according to Girl With a Purpose, means that the country should brace itself for “political maneuvering, with many speeches and media appearances by all candidates.”
Puerto Rico: Online Forum for Good Dads
“Over the years, I've worried about how I'm doing as a father”, says Gil the Jenius – which is why he has nothing but praise for a new website that “bring[s] good Dads together and let[s] them…share what it is to be a father.”
U.S. Virgin Islands: Shaken Up
“After several near-misses by tropical storms, the island has now escaped trouble from new earthquakes”: News of St. John has the details.
Cuba: 14 on Trial for Girl's Death
“It seems that we’re destined to remain in the dark about yet another case that we’ve only found out about through foreign newspapers and independent bloggers”: Rosa Martinez, writing at Havana Times, doesn't understand the authorities’ silence on the death of a Cuban minor.
Trinidad & Tobago: Black Power Documentary
“You could put all of the scholarship produced by the University of the West Indies and all the newspaper and TV stories done about the 1970 uprising in Trinidad and Tobago on one side and, when you tossed the single DVD of ’70: Remembering a Revolution into the other pan,...
Cuba: Female Prisoner on Hunger Strike
Pedazos de La Isla uploads a video showing “what happened on Saturday, September 24th, to Sara Marta Fonseca Quevedo and other dissidents who were peacefully protesting”, while Uncommon Sense notes that Fonseca has since begun a hunger strike.
Barbados: Fire Service Hot on Social Media
“I am surprised and impressed by their use of social media”, says gallimaufry.ws of the Barbados Fire Service, adding: “Other government departments in Barbados could learn from their example.”
Caribbean: Bloggers Saddened by Wangari Mathai's Death
Bloggers from Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas mourn the death of “The great African (Kenyan) environmentalist…and the first African woman to win the Nobel Prize, Wangari Maathai”.
Trinidad & Tobago: Loving Delicious
TECHTT shares his thoughts on the new Delicious site.
Cuba: More Arrests Post-March
More reports of activists being arrested in the wake of a peaceful protest march that took place this past Saturday.
Jamaica: Golding to Resign?
Jamaica and the World republishes a Wikileaks cable that sullies the image of the government, while Girl With a Purpose reports that “Prime Minister Bruce Golding dropped a bombshell on Jamaicans…announc[ing] his intention to resign as Party Leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).”
Caribbean: Commonwealth Competition Winners
Caribbean Book Blog has all the details on this year's Commonwealth Short Story Competition winners, with writers from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago being recognized.
Puerto Rico: Dealing with the Murder Rate
Dondequiera says of the country's rising murder rate: “Greed and apathy are Puerto Rico's sins, and the only way out of this nightmare is through our unity as humans.”
Cuba: “Damas” Targeted Again
The Ladies in White were once more targeted this weekend for their “planned march to a church to honor Our Lady of Charity on her feast day” – bloggers have a lot to say here, here, here, here and here.
Bahamas: Crime Fighting Issues
Bloggers discuss the challenges of crime fighting in the Bahamas.
