Good morning my loves! Auntie Cheryl woke up this morning, read the news, and felt what can only be described as vindicated.

KAMLA SAID WHAT WE ALL KNOW

“Dysfunctional and incompetent!” That is our Prime Minister speaking about CARICOM and I want to say — FINALLY. Auntie Cheryl has been saying this at the kitchen table since 2019. Every time something happen in the region and CARICOM put out a statement that says they are “deeply concerned,” I say: who feeling concerned over here? The concerned people in Geneva? Do something!

Kamla say it. Sanders from Antigua say it. And now the whole world know what we know. The institution needs reform. Serious, structural reform. I am not calling for anything rash but I am saying the Secretary General perhaps needs to ask herself some hard questions in a quiet room.

US ADVISORY, AGAIN

The Americans still have us at Level 3. “Reconsider your trip.” Every year I read this advisory and every year I think — do you know how many of us visit the United States and come back fine? It works both ways, darling! But seriously, the crime situation is real and the government needs to address it substantively, not just respond to the advisory with statements. We want results, not press releases.

THE HOUSING MONEY

$3.4 billion. And Minister Alexander defending it by telling Robinson-Regis to ask him directly. That is a very confident response! Auntie Cheryl respects confidence. What Auntie Cheryl also respects is a full account of where the money went and what was built. Both things can be true: confidence AND transparency. We wait.

THE ARTISTES GETTING PAID THIS MONTH

Carnival was February! We are now in April! But the Minister say the last payments coming by end of month and we must accept this because that is where we are. The artistes performed. The people enjoyed. The government will pay. In that order. Always in that order.

THE PORT ROBBERY

Armed men on a cargo vessel, near the Hyatt, on a Sunday night. This is exactly the kind of thing the Level 3 advisory is about and Auntie Cheryl is not going to pretend otherwise. It is not acceptable. The authorities need to make the waterfront safe. Full stop.

A PRAYER FOR ANCIL DENNIS

He is stepping back from PNM internal elections in Tobago. Whatever his reasons, Auntie Cheryl wishes him well. Politics is a hard road and sometimes a person must rest. God bless him and his family.

From Chaguanas with full sincerity.