I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from December, 2011
Jamaica: Feeling the “Vybz”
Under the Saltire Flag posts a must-read analysis about “the rise and fall” of dancehall artist Vybz Kartel.
Puerto Rico: TEDx Tomorrow
“Tomorrow is a big day for Puerto Rico”: Dondequiera blogs about the much-anticipated TEDx San Juan, adding: “2011 has really been a breakthrough year for the Internet in Puerto Rico. TEDx San Juan, Wordcamp, Social Media Club, and Startup Weekend were all great steps forward.”
Trinidad & Tobago: The CARICOM-Cuba Summit
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog reports on the arrival of Cuban President Raul Castro, while KILKAYTAY comments on “the hurricane in the snocone cup over the shifted location of the 2011 CARICOM-Cuba Summit”.
Cuba: The “Chupi Chupi” Scandal
“A disproportionate scandal has been unleashed these past few days around a vulgar Cuban video clip officially demonized and quasi-banned by the Culture Minister himself”: Without Evasion blogs about the furor surrounding the reggaeton hit Chupi Chupi.
Jamaica: Blue Lagoon
Labrish reports that “Jamaica's precious Blue Lagoon won a significant victory this week when a Preservation Notice was signed by the Government.”
Guyana: Police Versus Protesters
A new president has taken his place at the helm of Guyanese government following the country's recent general elections, but while the incumbent party got re-elected, it also lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in nearly twenty years. In the wake of the postponement of election results, the national mood was edgy, but the violence unexpectedly came after the new president was already sworn into office. A handful of bloggers discuss an incident in which police confronted opposition protesters.
Cuba: Housing Backlog
“As of the enactment of the new norms decreed by the Council of State, which modifies the law regarding housing, Cuban property owners are running en masse to the Notary of Property Registration in order to comply with the new laws” – but according to Laritza's Laws, “not all has...
Trinidad & Tobago: Making Sorrel
“Sorrel, made from the sepals, of the sorrel flower is fruity and fragrant. I have fond memories of sitting at my aunt’s feet as a child, helping her to handpick the flowers. Made properly your sorrel should be thick and syrupy”: TriniGourmet posts a recipe for this traditional Christmas drink.
Cuba: Members of “Group of 75″ Re-arrested
“The dozen members of the Group of 75 prisoners of conscience who refused forced exile as a condition of their parole knew that…they were putting themselves at risk of more repression by staying in Cuba”: Uncommon Sense says that “those consequences have been revealed in recent days as four of...
Bermuda: The UK's Vision
Respice Finem comments on the UK's current review of its relationship with its overseas territories, which includes getting feedback, within the confines of its vision, from the colonies themselves: “By limiting the review to that which is consistent with its vision, the UK has demonstrated it is not seriously interested...
Cuba: A Christmas for the Children
Pedazos de la Isla blog about an initiative by a “young Cuban exile”, which “aims to send presents to those Cuban children to add a bit of happiness during this time of the year which, in majority of countries around the world, is celebrated with lots of joy.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Plot Suspects Released
Jumbie's Watch and Guanaguanare comment on the release of 16 detainees in the alleged assassination plot against the Prime Minister.
Bermuda: Polling Season
Politics.bm reports that the governing party is conducting “a robo-poll…testing whether the Premier should go to the polls right after Christmas” and quips: “A better question would have been which politician will you let kiss your ass under the mistletoe? That would sum up the mood of the country better.”
Jamaica: Election Date Set
The Jamaican Prime Minister has announced the date of the country's next general elections; Girl With a Purpose comments: “Interesting days are ahead!” and encourages her compatriots to vote.
Haiti: Business Wins, Haiti Loses
Haiti Grassroots Watch has been looking at the issues surrounding the inauguration of an industrial zone in the north of the island, and finds that “once again, Haiti’s government and her private sector – and their international supervisors – are pitching sweatshop level salaries as a key ‘comparative advantage.'”
Cuba: Loving Yoani
Along the Malecon links to an interview with blogger Yoani Sanchez’ husband, in which he reveals that “he quickly realized she was special.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Celebrating Christmas
Outlish offers some advice on what not to say if you're “liming” in Trinidad and Tobago for Christmas.
Jamaica: Political Futures
Girl With a Purpose makes a few political predictions, here.
St. Kitts & Nevis: Poor Credit Rating
Abeng News Magazine notes that “the credit rating of St Kitts and Nevis…took a hit when it defaulted on a bond payment the end of November”, adding: “Maybe because there isn’t an Occupy movement in Basseterre, or because the people of one of the most indebted nations in the world...
St. Lucia: Poetic Preaching
Caribbean Book Blog profiles a local priest who “has just published a book of narrative prose and poetry”, which he describes as ” a Caribbean-centric “theological reflection on the social, historical, economic, religious, political, and national consciousness.”
Caribbean: Thoughts on World AIDS Day
December 1, was World AIDS Day. Bloggers from the Caribbean have weighed in with their own thoughts about and support for the ongoing battle against HIV and AIDS.
