Your weekly satirical roundup of Caribbean news beyond Guyana’s borders. Because the region is more than just one country. 🌴
🇧🇧 BARBADOS: ELECTION DAY IS WEDNESDAY
The Countdown:
Barbados heads to the polls on February 11, 2026 — just six days away.
The Players:
- BLP (Mia Mottley) — Going for the three-peat after 30-0 sweeps in 2018 and 2022
- DLP (Ralph Thorne) — Hoping to win… one seat? Maybe?
The Drama:
PM Mottley has been slashing Ralph Thorne over an interview he gave to Trinidad media. Early voting is already underway. Schools will be closed on election day.
The Reality:
Political analyst Peter Wickham summed it up: “The conversation we are having these days is whether the opposition can actually gain a seat or two.”
That’s the bar. Not winning. Not being competitive. Just… existing in Parliament.
Prediction: Mottley wins big. Again.
🇯🇲 JAMAICA: $415 MILLION IMF EMERGENCY CASH
The Bailout:
The IMF Executive Board has approved Jamaica’s request for emergency financial assistance of approximately US$415 million.
Why:
Jamaica is facing urgent balance-of-payments needs. The details are still emerging, but this is significant emergency support from the Fund.
The Context:
Jamaica has been on an economic reform trajectory for years, but external shocks continue to test resilience. This injection provides breathing room.
🇹🇹 TRINIDAD: PM KAMLA DOUBLES DOWN ON CARICOM CRITICISM
The Rift:
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar used Parliament on Friday to call for major transformation within CARICOM.
Her Position:
The PM has been vocal about the regional body’s effectiveness (or lack thereof), questioning whether CARICOM is actually delivering for member states.
The Pattern:
This isn’t new. Trinidad has often been the loudest voice questioning regional integration while simultaneously benefiting from it.
CARICOM Response:
The regional body is focused on other fires — namely Haiti.
🇭🇹 CARICOM REBUKES HAITI LEADERSHIP
The Crisis:
In a rare and sharply worded rebuke, Caribbean leaders have placed Haiti’s transitional leadership under renewed regional scrutiny.
The Target:
Efforts are underway to remove caretaker Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aimé amid deepening instability.
The Numbers:
- 1.4 million internally displaced
- Gang violence escalating
- Elections postponed to August/December 2026
- Transitional Presidential Council mandate expires February 7th
The Reality:
Haiti remains in freefall, and the region is running out of patience with transitional arrangements that produce no transitions.
🛂 US VISA CRACKDOWN HITS CARIBBEAN
The Squeeze:
The United States is tightening visa scrutiny across the Caribbean as part of a crackdown on birth tourism and citizenship-by-investment concerns.
Countries Affected:
- Barbados
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Jamaica
- Antigua and Barbuda (partial travel restrictions)
- Dominica
- Grenada
What’s Happening:
- More rigorous visa interviews
- Questions about travel intent
- Pregnant applicants face extra scrutiny
- Processing delays expected
For Antigua & Barbuda:
Beginning January 2026, partial travel restrictions tied to security vetting and CBI programme concerns are in effect.
The Message:
Using a tourist visa for maternity care in the US will likely result in denial. Washington is watching.
✈️ CARIBBEAN TOURISM TAKES A HIT
The Decline:
After 12 consecutive months of growth, several Caribbean destinations saw significant declines in U.S. tourist arrivals in 2025:
- Barbados
- Cuba
- Jamaica
- Saint Lucia
- Bermuda
- Aruba
The Causes:
- Economic pressures and inflation
- Rising cost of international travel
- Competition from other destinations
- Shifting travel patterns post-pandemic
The Response:
Islands are focusing on diversifying offerings and adapting to new travel trends. But recovery isn’t guaranteed.
🏆 BAJAN STUDENTS WIN REGIONAL AI STOCK GAME
The Victory:
Barbados has dethroned four-time defending champions Trinidad and Tobago to claim the Caribbean Title Trophy in an AI-driven virtual stock market game.
The Numbers:
Barbadian students completed:
- 128,960 trades on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
- 27,379 trades on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange
The Significance:
Education Minister noted this reflects Barbados’s broader reform agenda to equip students with 21st-century skills.
One Winner’s Strategy:
“I really focused on the Jamaican markets… basically buying and selling Trinidad and Jamaican stocks daily.”
Translation: Bajan kids beat Trini kids at their own stock market game. That’s cold.
🎖️ SABGA AWARDS: FIVE NEW CARIBBEAN LAUREATES
The Honours:
The 2026 Anthony N Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence has named five new laureates:
| Name | Country | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Sheena Rose | Barbados | Arts and Letters |
| Shamelle Rice | Barbados | Public and Civic Contributions |
| Dean Nevers | Jamaica | Entrepreneurship |
| Dr. Niven Narain | Guyana-born (US) | Science and Technology |
| Prof. Tannecia Stephenson | Jamaica | Science and Technology |
Of Note:
Guyanese-born biotech innovator Dr. Niven Narain shares the Science and Technology award. Caribbean excellence, wherever it goes.
🎪 CARNIVAL SEASON UNDERWAY
Trinidad Carnival preparations continue with:
- Soca in full rotation
- Mas bands finalizing costumes
- Fetes every weekend
Reminder: If you’re going down, book accommodations NOW. And pace yourself — Carnival is a marathon, not a sprint.
🏇 REGIONAL SPORTS ROUNDUP
Cricket:
West Indies vs. Afghanistan T20I series underway in Dubai ahead of the T20 World Cup starting February 7th in India and Sri Lanka.
India U-19:
India will face England in the Under-19 World Cup final after a record-breaking run-chase against Afghanistan in Harare.
Equestrian:
Bermuda posted strong results at the Caribbean Equestrian Association Regional Jumping Challenge, competing against riders from Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Cayman Islands, Antigua, Bahamas, Haiti, and Martinique.
📊 CARIBBEAN HEALTH ALERT
World Cancer Day Reminder:
CARPHA notes that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Caribbean, behind only cardiovascular disease.
Concerning Stats:
- Jamaica, Bahamas, and Barbados rank 2nd, 3rd, and 4th globally for cervical cancer mortality
- Eight Caribbean countries are among the top 15 for prostate cancer
The Message:
Early screening saves lives. Pap smears, prostate checks, breast exams — not luxuries, survival tools.
🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 7 | T20 World Cup begins | India/Sri Lanka |
| Feb 7 | Bayroc Stadium opens | Linden, Guyana |
| Feb 9-12 | Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting | Fiji (Guyana attending) |
| Feb 11 | Barbados General Election | Barbados |
| Oct 2026 | Caribbean Tourism Organisation Conference | Guyana |
That’s your Caribbean Brief! Elections, emergency funding, CARICOM drama, visa crackdowns, and regional excellence recognized.
One region, one family, plenty politics. 🌴
DISCLAIMER: The Caribbean Daily Brief provides regional news summaries with satirical commentary. For detailed coverage, please consult local news sources in each territory.