Regional

Bajan Brief — Bajan Bugle, April 10, 2026

Bridgetown. Friday. The CARIFTA swimmers are home and the dengue numbers are not improving. Both things are true and one of them requires more urgency than it is receiving.

CARIFTA SWIMMERS RETURN

Trinidad and Tobago’s CARIFTA swim team landed at Piarco to a reception. Barbados’s own contingent had a creditable showing at the Games in Grenada. Across the region, the 53rd CARIFTA Games reminded everyone that the Caribbean produces competitive athletes at every age level with a fraction of the infrastructure budget that larger countries use to produce roughly equivalent results. This is either an argument for the talent of Caribbean youth or an indictment of how little we invest in it. It is probably both.

Bajan Brief — Miss Violet, April 10, 2026

Good morning. I am Miss Violet. I have been watching the news and I have several things to say about the state of Caribbean civic preparedness, sporting achievement, and mosquito policy. Please sit.

THE SWIMMERS EARNED THIS

I want to be clear that the CARIFTA swimmers did not land at Piarco to polite applause because they were expected to do well. They earned that reception through months of training in pools that are not always in ideal condition, with coaching that is not always funded at the level it deserves, representing countries that do not always have the national sports budgets to justify the results they somehow consistently produce. When we celebrate CARIFTA athletes we should celebrate them knowing the full cost of what they accomplished. That cost includes everything that was not provided and had to be overcome anyway.

Caribbean Daily Brief — Wednesday, March 19, 2026

Your weekly satirical roundup of news from across the Caribbean — because the whole region deserves coverage, not just one country 🌴

🇯🇲 JAMAICA: Gas Up, Telecom Still Down, and the NHF Spent Billions on Obesity

Jamaican motorists woke up Thursday to gasoline at $170.83 per litre — up $4.50 at the pump, courtesy of Petrojam’s latest ex-refinery price adjustment. The Middle East oil surge is being felt from Kingston to Westmoreland, and in Westmoreland they have enough other problems. Five months after Hurricane Melissa, residents are still describing conditions there as “hellish” — patchy mobile service, spotty internet, and a general sense that the rest of the country moved on while they were still bailing out. Digicel says towers will be fully restored by end of April. Residents have heard this before.

Caribbean Brief: Carnival Tuesday Approaches, Barbados Cabinet Sworn In, and Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in New York

Good morning, Caribbean! 🌴

Carnival Tuesday is tomorrow in Trinidad, Barbados has a brand new cabinet, Maduro pleaded not guilty in New York, and the US is making it harder for Caribbean nationals to visit. Your Monday regional roundup.

🎭 Trinidad: J’ouvert Done, Parade of the Bands Tomorrow

Carnival Monday is winding down in Trinidad after a J’ouvert that started before dawn and a full day of revelry through Port of Spain, Tunapuna, and beyond. Police confiscated an impressive collection of weapons during early morning exercises — because some people apparently think Carnival is a medieval tournament.

Caribbean Brief: Trinidad Carnival Monday Madness, Barbados Swears In a Government, and Cuba Can't Catch a Break

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.

🌴 Caribbean Brief – Friday, February 13, 2026

Mottley’s historic third sweep. Caribbean takes centre stage in Panama. US tightening visa screws on Caribbean nationals. Italy wins at cricket. And Trinidad’s energy billions.

Caribbean Brief: Barbados Votes, Trinidad Talks Energy, Cuba Still Running On Fumes

Barbados: Election Day

Barbados went to the polls on Tuesday in snap elections called by Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Pre-election polling showed the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) leading in all 30 constituencies with approximately 78% voter support. The DLP leader reportedly did not vote in his own constituency’s elections — which tells you everything about the state of the opposition.

Reports from across the island described voting as “smooth and steady.” The BLP manifesto focused on childcare, jobs, and development. Mottley has pledged 100% renewable energy for Barbados by 2030 under her Mission 2030 initiative. Results are expected shortly if not already declared.

Caribbean Daily Brief — Barbados Election Next Week, Jamaica Gets IMF Emergency Cash, T&T PM Slams CARICOM, and US Visa Crackdown Continues

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:

Caribbean Daily Brief — US Warships Still Blowing Up Boats, Barbados Heads to Polls, Jamaica Gets IMF Lifeline, and the Region Wonders What Happened to Sovereignty

The US military campaign in Caribbean waters has killed over 117 people, Barbados elections are 8 days away, Jamaica secured $415M in IMF emergency aid, Trinidad’s PM praised the boat strikes, and CARICOM can’t agree on anything except that things are complicated.

Caribbean Daily Brief – Wednesday, January 29, 2026

Your regional roundup from across the Caribbean 🌴

🇯🇲 Jamaica Gets US$415 Million IMF Emergency Loan

The IMF Executive Board has approved Jamaica’s request for emergency financial assistance of approximately US$415 million to help meet urgent balance-of-payments needs. This comes as the region continues to navigate economic pressures from various global factors.

Jamaica’s Finance Minister is expected to outline how these funds will be deployed to stabilize the economy and protect vulnerable populations. The country has been a model for IMF structural adjustment programs in the past, but this emergency assistance signals ongoing challenges.

Caribbean Weekly Roundup: IMF Bailout for Jamaica, US Visa Crackdown, and Caribbean Airlines Chaos

Jamaica secures $415M IMF emergency funds, Caribbean Airlines closes Barbados hub, US cracks down on birth tourism across the region, and Venezuela conflict ripples through Caribbean tourism.

Caribbean Daily Brief — January 21, 2026

Jamaica secures US$6.7 billion for Hurricane Melissa recovery, Maduro claims presidency from Brooklyn jail, Haiti TPS termination hearing continues, and Trinidad welcomes new PM Stuart Young.

Caribbean Daily Brief – January 20, 2026

Your 5-minute tour of regional chaos, served with rum punch

🇻🇪 THE MADURO SITUATION: STILL SITUATING

Two weeks after Uncle Sam yoinked Nicolás Maduro out of Caracas like a bad tooth, the Caribbean is still dealing with the hangover. Thousands of tourists got stranded. Cruise ships played musical chairs in Barbados harbour. And Trinidad? Well, T&T said “sure ting” to letting U.S. military use their airports, which Venezuela called a betrayal. PM Kamla then spent the weekend cussing out the Energy Chamber for allegedly caring more about foreign oil companies than local contractors. Classic Trini Monday.