Good morning, Caribbean! 🌴

It’s Carnival Monday in Trinidad, election aftermath in Barbados, and Cuba is still trying to keep the lights on. Your weekly regional roundup of who’s partying, who’s governing, and who’s wondering where the fuel went.

🎭 Trinidad Carnival Monday — J’ouvert in Full Swing

It’s Carnival Monday in Trinidad and the streets of Tunapuna are packed with revellers covered in paint, mud, and questionable life decisions. J’ouvert started before dawn and will not stop until Trinidad collectively decides it’s had enough — which historically takes about 48 hours.

Police confiscated a collection of knives, scissors, ice picks, and “other weapons” during early morning exercises. Because nothing says “party responsibly” like bringing an ice pick to a soca fete.

TTT Limited also apologised for cutting audio during Helon Francis’ performance of “Doh Forget” at Dimanche Gras on Sunday night. They say it wasn’t intentional. Helon Francis probably has opinions about that.

🇧🇧 Barbados Swears In New Cabinet After Mottley’s Third Win

Mia Mottley and her Barbados Labour Party (BLP) won a third consecutive term, and the new cabinet was sworn in today at CARIFESTA House. In her victory speech, Mottley urged Barbadians to “fall in love with our country again.”

Caribbean leaders from St Kitts, Dominica, and Jamaica congratulated her. The opposition leader couldn’t even vote because his name was missing from the register. You truly cannot make this stuff up.

🇨🇺 Jamaica Considers Support for Students Stranded in Cuba

Jamaica is looking at what support it can provide to Jamaican students in Cuba, where studies have been disrupted by the island’s worsening fuel crisis under a tightened US embargo. Guyana has 45 students in Cuba facing similar challenges.

Cuba’s economic situation continues to deteriorate. The embargo is tighter. The fuel is scarcer. The students are stuck.

🏏 West Indies Through to Super 8s in T20 World Cup

West Indies are through to the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup after beating Nepal by nine wickets in Mumbai. Jason Holder took four wickets. The Caribbean celebration continues — on the cricket pitch and in the streets of Port of Spain simultaneously.

🇺🇸 US Visa Crackdown Hits Caribbean

Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, Antigua, Dominica, and Grenada all face stricter US visa scrutiny in 2026 as part of a crackdown on birth tourism. Longer processing times, deeper vetting, and more questions about why exactly you need to visit Miami for three months.

Stay Caribbean. Stay informed. 🌊

The Caribbean Daily Brief — Because someone has to cover the whole region.