Janine Mendes-Franco · June, 2012

Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from June, 2012

Trinidad and Tobago: Security Minister or Action Figure?

  30 June 2012

Instead of taking on Trinidad and Tobago's many serious crime problems, the newly appointed Minister of National Security's first official action was to request an army contingent to demolish a protesters camp blocking the construction of a new highway. His move has inspired a tongue-in-cheek reaction from bloggers.

Cuba: Clicking Towards the Future

  30 June 2012

Havana's recently concluded Festival Clic, which was designed to discuss Internet and Society in Cuba, has got several bloggers talking about technology and the role it can play in the country's future.

Cuba: Papal Mass Dissident Still Protesting

  25 June 2012

Pedazos de la Isla reports that “Andrés Carrión Álvarez, the Cuban who shouted ‘Down with Communism’ during the papal mass in Santiago de Cuba this past March…is still on hunger strike.”

Guyana: Race Relations

  23 June 2012

“In the past decade or so this demonic cancer of contemporary Guyana has been intensifying with systematic, contumelious frequency. We, as a nation, have not failed to take notice but we ignore it”: Imran Khan blogs about racism.

Trinidad & Tobago: Bloggers Discuss Warner & Cabinet Reshuffle

  23 June 2012

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has been alluding to some major changes in government ministers' portfolios for some time now; last night, details of her Cabinet reshuffle finally came. Netizens have been sharing their thoughts on their blogs as well as on Twitter and Facebook: the most heated discussion appeared to be over the new appointment to former FIFA Vice-President Austin “Jack” Warner as Minister of National Security.

Trinidad & Tobago: Speaking Out Against Sexual Abuse

  19 June 2012

The case of a 12-year old girl, who recently gave birth to her stepfather's child in Guyana, gets Outlish talking about feminism, education and the everyday reality of women in the Caribbean, while journalist and blogger Lisa Allen-Agostini says it is time to speak out about child sexual abuse.

Cuba: Two Protests, Many Arrests

  19 June 2012

The Ladies in White (Las Damas de Blanco) are again top of mind with Cuban diaspora bloggers. As one of the oldest and most respected opposition entities on the island, their peaceful protests - and regular arrests by state security forces - continue to attract attention. The most recent confrontation happened this past weekend as members of the group attempted to carry out two protests in Havana.

Trinidad & Tobago: Problems for People's Partnership

  19 June 2012

Much of the political discourse in the Trinidad and Tobago blogosphere of late has been about the shortcomings of the People's Partnership Government. It was no secret that there was dissension within the party ranks, but yesterday's news that the Movement for Social Justice has officially pulled out of the Partnership Government has got a few bloggers talking about possible repercussions.

Jamaica: Windscreen Murder

  19 June 2012

Jamaica Woman Tongue blogs about the murder of a man who cleaned windscreens for a living, saying: “This murder seems to be about rank class prejudice. We have to find a sustainable solution to the chronic problem of unemployed young men. Shooting them in the head is not an option...

Guyana: Stories in Photos

  19 June 2012

“These young photo enthusiasts now are capturing not only life and landscape but vibes, passions and feelings…in years to come, they will be reminded, as will generations to follow, of how life used to be when Guyana was yet to define her place in the world”: Imran Khan blogs about...

Cuba: Bloggers say there are more like “Antunez”

  14 June 2012

Diaspora bloggers still have their attention focused on Cuban dissident Jorge Luis García Pérez (Antunez), who was reportedly beaten and detained following his testimony at a United States Senate sub-committee hearing concerned with infringements on the human rights of Cuban citizens.

Jamaica: “Dudus” Sentenced

  14 June 2012

As Christopher “Dudus” Coke receives a 23-year jail sentence in the United States, Jamaica Salt suggests that “maybe he should consider telling his story publicly, as…the country needs to know the full story about how he was able to operate a global drug and gun business with such immunity for...

Guyana: Shared Humanity

  14 June 2012

“I do not believe that the response to human savagery and the solution to banditry should be vulgar violence and the public glorification of the defilement of a human being”: A powerful post by Imran Khan about humanity, society and intelligent thinking.

Cuba: Bloggers Rally Around Beaten Dissident

  12 June 2012

Bloggers from the Cuban diaspora are concerned about the reported beating and detainment of dissident Jorge Luis García Pérez, more popularly known as Antunez, after he testified via teleconference at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing about the human rights situation on the island.

Trinidad & Tobago: Message to “Sir Viv”

  12 June 2012

B.C. Pires shares his take on cricketer Denesh Ramdin’s message to former West Indies captain-turned sports commentator, Sir Vivian Richards: “If a player holds up a piece of paper to Sir Viv in the commentary box, I see it only as the fowl cock-and-them coming home to roost.”

Cuba: Economic Deja Vu?

  7 June 2012

A few Cuban bloggers have been voicing their economic concerns - and wondering whether the island's recent reforms, some of which include a more open approach to self-employment - could translate into political change as well.