Caribbean on The Tradewinds Brief

Caribbean on The Tradewinds Briefhttps://tradewindsbrief.com/tags/caribbean/Recent content in Caribbean on The Tradewinds BriefThe Tradewinds Briefhttps://tradewindsbrief.com/images/brand/og-default.pnghttps://tradewindsbrief.com/images/brand/og-default.pngHugo -- 0.142.0en-usSat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000High Performance Campus (Loading...)https://tradewindsbrief.com/sports/2026-04-25-high-performance-campus/Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/sports/2026-04-25-high-performance-campus/Train where you are. Picture where you going. The Caribbean High Performance Campus loads on the billboard while the actual training happens in the back lot - water bottles for cones, one tire for resistance, and a coach with a megaphone.Caribbean Daily Brief: Jamaica's Pension Scandal Widens, Trinidad Finds 56 Bodies in a Cemetery (Not Buried), Barbados Gets Fitch Warning, and the Reggae Girlz-Golden Jaguars Match Is Tonighthttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/gdb_2026-04-19_caribbean_brief/Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/gdb_2026-04-19_caribbean_brief/<p>Sunday across the region. The kind of Sunday where three countries produce three completely different species of chaos and we pretend this is normal. Pour your rum punch. Here is what is happening.</p> <hr> <h2 id="jamaica--the-pension-scandal-gets-worse">JAMAICA — The Pension Scandal Gets Worse</h2> <h3 id="retired-police-officers-cannot-pay-their-light-bills">Retired police officers cannot pay their light bills</h3> <p>The Sunday Gleaner’s lead story this morning is devastating. <strong>Retired Jamaican police officers</strong> — some who served three decades — are unable to pay basic household bills because their pensions have never been properly processed. Retiree “Marlon Campbell” (pseudonym) told the paper he has been getting an interim monthly pension of just over J$100,000 for nearly a decade, still waiting for his final pension letter.</p>Bajan Brief — Bajan Bugle, April 10, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-10-bajan-bugle/Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-10-bajan-bugle/CARIFTA swim team returns, PAHO warns of dengue surge across the Caribbean, regional trade tensions with the US continue, and Barbados hosts the junior tennis circuit.Bajan Brief — Miss Violet, April 10, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-10-bajan-miss-violet/Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-10-bajan-miss-violet/Miss Violet on the CARIFTA swimmers, dengue preparedness, the junior tennis tournament, and what Caribbean people owe each other in the face of American trade disruption.Auntie Cheryl's Trinidad Update – Thursday, April 9, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-auntie-cheryl/Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-auntie-cheryl/Auntie Cheryl in Chaguanas reads the news and is pleased about most of it.Cousin Leroy's Jamaica Update – Thursday, April 9, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-cousin-leroy/Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-cousin-leroy/Cousin Leroy in the Bronx reads the Jamaica news and has some thoughts.Miss Violet's Barbados Bulletin – Thursday, April 9, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-miss-violet/Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-miss-violet/Miss Violet in Brooklyn reads about Barbados and has high standards for everything.The Bajan Bugle – Thursday, April 9, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-bajan-bugle/Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-bajan-bugle/Bridgetown dispatches — Barbados knows its history less and less, the Fish Festival needs reform, and Barbados Pride is about to remind Jamaica who runs regional cricket.The Trini Dispatch – Thursday, April 9, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-trini-dispatch/Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-trini-dispatch/Port of Spain dispatches — Kamla goes to Venezuela for gas, a businessman is dead, the SEA was easy, and CARICOM finds itself short one vote of confidence.The Yard Report – Thursday, April 9, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-yard-report/Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-09-yard-report/Dispatches from Kingston — gas going up, hurricane victims still in schools, and Jamaica not in the World Cup. A normal week.Caribbean Daily Brief – April 8, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-08-caribbean-brief/Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-08-caribbean-brief/Your Wednesday Caribbean roundup: World Bank says slow down, Jamaica goes backward, T&T chases Venezuela gas, Barbados grows quietly, and Carifta children run fast.Miss Violet's Barbados Bulletin – April 8, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-08-miss-violet/Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-08-miss-violet/Miss Violet, retired civics teacher and Barbados institution, responds to the World Bank report, the Air Canada announcement, and the state of the Caribbean.The Bajan Bugle – April 8, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-08-bajan-bugle/Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-08-bajan-bugle/Barbados grows 2.7 percent while Jamaica shrinks. Air Canada non-stop coming. World Bank issues its annual assessment of regional mediocrity.Caribbean Brief – Sunday, April 6, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-06-caribbean-brief/Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-06-caribbean-brief/CARICOM rallies for Cuba, Jamaica Carnival is one week out, a Russian tanker slips through the blockade, the region pivots away from US trade, and Guyana's CARIFTA team is having a very good weekend in Grenada.Caribbean Brief – Friday, April 3, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-03-caribbean-brief/Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-03-caribbean-brief/Friday Caribbean roundup — Trump's 10% tariff hits the region hard (38% for Guyana), CARICOM scrambles to respond, Jamaica gets US$50M climate fund, T&T heads into election mode, and CARIFTA opens tomorrow.Caribbean Brief – Thursday, April 2, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-02-caribbean-brief/Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:30:00 -0400https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-02-caribbean-brief/Thursday's Caribbean roundup — Jamaica enters World Cup playoff as favourites, T&T PM heads to Caribbean Energy Week, Haiti gang operations continue, US removes radar from Tobago, and St. Vincent gets $3M from Taiwan.Caribbean Brief – Wednesday, April 1, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-01-caribbean-brief/Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-04-01-caribbean-brief/Your Wednesday Caribbean roundup — Trinidad's nurse crisis, Haiti's austerity squeeze, Jamaica's budget debate, Venezuela's threats, and Carnival Corporation buying up the sea.Caribbean Brief — Tuesday, March 31, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-03-31-caribbean-brief/Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-03-31-caribbean-brief/The region watches the Middle East crisis escalate, Jamaica enters World Cup play-offs, Haiti's gangs take losses, and Rihanna's products land in Georgetown without Rihanna.Caribbean Daily Brief — Wednesday, March 19, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-03-19-caribbean-brief/Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-03-19-caribbean-brief/Gas prices up in Jamaica, Trinidad extends its State of Emergency, Barbados delivers a budget and dusts off the flyover plans, and the whole region watches oil hit $100.🌴 Caribbean Daily Brief – Tuesday, February 17, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-17-caribbean-brief/Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-17-caribbean-brief/US blows up another boat in the Caribbean (133 dead now). Iran-US nuclear talks show progress in Geneva. Barbados FM challenges US due process. Mottley pushes electoral reform. Jamaica’s students stranded in Cuba. Aer Lingus launches first direct Caribbean flights.Caribbean Brief: Carnival Tuesday Approaches, Barbados Cabinet Sworn In, and Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in New Yorkhttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-16-caribbean-brief/Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-16-caribbean-brief/<p>Good morning, Caribbean! 🌴</p> <p>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.</p> <hr> <h2 id="-trinidad-jouvert-done-parade-of-the-bands-tomorrow">🎭 Trinidad: J’ouvert Done, Parade of the Bands Tomorrow</h2> <p>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.</p>Caribbean Brief: Trinidad Carnival Monday Madness, Barbados Swears In a Government, and Cuba Can't Catch a Breakhttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-15-caribbean-brief/Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-15-caribbean-brief/<p>Good morning, Caribbean! 🌴</p> <p>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.</p> <hr> <h2 id="-trinidad-carnival-monday--jouvert-in-full-swing">🎭 Trinidad Carnival Monday — J’ouvert in Full Swing</h2> <p>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.</p>Caribbean Daily Brief – February 14, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-14-caribbean-daily-brief/Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-14-caribbean-daily-brief/<p><strong>Valentine’s Day across the Caribbean: Mia Mottley is in love with winning, the US Navy is in love with shooting boats, and Trinidad’s PM is about to sweet-talk an energy conference. Let’s go.</strong></p> <hr> <h2 id="-mia-mottley-sweeps-barbados--again">🇧🇧 MIA MOTTLEY SWEEPS BARBADOS — AGAIN</h2> <p>Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has won every single seat in Parliament — for the third consecutive election. She is now only the second Caribbean leader in history to achieve a 30-0 sweep three times, joining former Grenada PM Dr. Keith Mitchell.</p>YouTube Scripts – February 14, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-14-youtube-scripts/Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-14-youtube-scripts/<h1 id="script-1-guyana-daily-brief-short-form--60-90-seconds">SCRIPT 1: GUYANA DAILY BRIEF (Short-form — 60-90 seconds)</h1> <p><strong>[THUMBNAIL TEXT: STABROEK NEWS IS DEAD 💀]</strong></p> <p><strong>[HOOK — First 3 seconds]</strong> One of Guyana’s oldest newspapers just announced it’s shutting down forever.</p> <p><strong>[BODY]</strong> Stabroek News — nearly 40 years old — will stop printing on March 15th, 2026. The parent company is entering voluntary liquidation. Chairman Brendan de Caires blamed the global collapse of print advertising, which dropped 75% since 2004. The digital age finally caught up with Guyana’s press.</p>🌴 Caribbean Brief – Friday, February 13, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-13-caribbean-brief/Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-13-caribbean-brief/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 TODAY, Cuba on 4-Day Work Week, Jamaica Shakenhttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-11-caribbean-brief/Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-11-caribbean-brief/Barbados goes to the polls as Mottley seeks historic third term, Cuba adopts emergency 4-day work week over fuel crisis, Jamaica rattled by 5.0 earthquake, and Trinidad Carnival is days away.Caribbean Brief: Barbados Votes Tomorrow, T&T PM Talks Energy, and Jamaica Mourns 'Cat' Coorehttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-10-caribbean-brief/Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-10-caribbean-brief/<p><em>Your daily Caribbean roundup — what’s happening across the region.</em></p> <hr> <h2 id="-barbados-election-eve">🗳️ Barbados: Election Eve</h2> <p><strong>Barbados goes to the polls TOMORROW</strong> (Wednesday, February 11). Schools will be closed to facilitate voting. PM Mia Mottley’s Barbados Labour Party faces what observers say is the most competitive election in years.</p> <p>The Commonwealth has deployed election observers. Meanwhile, PM Mottley made headlines by slamming opposition figure Ralph Thorne’s interview with a Trinidad media outlet, suggesting external interference. Trinidad PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar has denied that her UNC party is trying to influence the Barbados result.</p>Caribbean Brief: Barbados Election Heats Up, Trinidad PM Addresses Energy Week, Jamaica IMF Deal, and Cuba's Humanitarian Crisis Deepenshttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-09-caribbean-brief/Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-09-caribbean-brief/Barbados heads to polls February 11 with schools closing for election day, Trinidad’s PM addresses Caribbean Energy Week, Jamaica’s IMF $415M deal progresses, and Cuba’s crisis worsens as US tightens the screws.Caribbean Daily Brief: US Strikes Boats Near Venezuela, Jamaica Gets $415M Emergency IMF Loan, and T&T Says Airspace is Finehttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-08-caribbean-brief/Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-08-caribbean-brief/The US is blowing up boats in the Caribbean, Jamaica needs emergency cash after Hurricane Melissa, Trinidad says everything is normal (it's not), and the T20 World Cup has kicked off.Caribbean Daily Brief: Jamaica Gets $415M IMF Lifeline, Barbados Election Heating Up, T&T PM Blasts CARICOM, and Haiti Under Firehttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-06-caribbean-brief/Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-06-caribbean-brief/Jamaica secures emergency IMF funds, Barbados gears up for February 11 election, Trinidad’s PM doubles down on CARICOM criticism, CARICOM rebukes Haiti’s leadership, and the T20 World Cup kicks off tomorrow. Your Caribbean regional roundup.Caribbean Daily Brief — Barbados Election Next Week, Jamaica Gets IMF Emergency Cash, T&T PM Slams CARICOM, and US Visa Crackdown Continueshttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-05-caribbean-brief/Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-05-caribbean-brief/Barbados goes to the polls February 11th, Jamaica secures $415M IMF emergency assistance, Trinidad PM doubles down on CARICOM criticism, CARICOM rebukes Haiti leadership, US tightens visa scrutiny across the region, and Caribbean tourism takes a hit.Caribbean Daily Brief — US Warships Still Blowing Up Boats, Barbados Heads to Polls, Jamaica Gets IMF Lifeline, and the Region Wonders What Happened to Sovereigntyhttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-03-caribbean-brief/Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-03-caribbean-brief/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 Brief: Barbados Election Countdown, Trinidad's Police Scandal, and Carnival Season Heats Uphttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-02-caribbean-brief/Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-02-caribbean-brief/Barbados heads to polls February 11 with Mottley seeking a historic third term, Trinidad reels from CCTV footage of a police shooting, Carnival season kicks into high gear, and West Indies prep for T20 World Cup. Your regional Caribbean news roundup.YouTube Scripts — Monday, February 2, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-02-youtube-scripts/Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-02-02-youtube-scripts/60-second and 4-minute HeyGen-ready scripts for Monday February 2, 2026.🌴 Caribbean Daily Brief – Saturday, January 31, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/caribbean-daily-brief-2026-01-31/Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/caribbean-daily-brief-2026-01-31/IMF approves US$415M emergency aid for Jamaica, Caribbean Airlines closes Barbados hub, Venezuela aftermath reshaping regional travel, West Indies cricket, and more across the islands!Caribbean Daily Brief – Wednesday, January 29, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-29-caribbean-brief/Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-29-caribbean-brief/<p><em>Your regional roundup from across the Caribbean</em> 🌴</p> <hr> <h2 id="-jamaica-gets-us415-million-imf-emergency-loan">🇯🇲 Jamaica Gets US$415 Million IMF Emergency Loan</h2> <p>The IMF Executive Board has approved Jamaica’s request for emergency financial assistance of approximately <strong>US$415 million</strong> to help meet urgent balance-of-payments needs. This comes as the region continues to navigate economic pressures from various global factors.</p> <p>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.</p>Caribbean Weekly Roundup: IMF Bailout for Jamaica, US Visa Crackdown, and Caribbean Airlines Chaoshttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-27-caribbean-brief/Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-27-caribbean-brief/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 Brief: Barbados Elections Feb 11, US Visa Crackdowns, Trinidad's AI Push, and Jamaica's IMF Returnhttps://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-26-caribbean-brief/Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-26-caribbean-brief/Regional roundup: Mia Mottley goes for third term, US tightens visa rules for pregnant travelers, Trinidad partners with Microsoft on AI, and Jamaica seeks IMF help again.Caribbean Daily Brief: Saturday, January 24, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-24-caribbean-brief/Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-24-caribbean-brief/US-Caribbean visa tensions, Jamaica's IMF loan, Trinidad-US partnership, Venezuela oil law changes, and regional cricket updatesCaribbean Daily Brief — January 21, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-21-caribbean-brief/Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-21-caribbean-brief/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, 2026https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-20-caribbean-brief/Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://tradewindsbrief.com/posts/2026-01-20-caribbean-brief/<p><em>Your 5-minute tour of regional chaos, served with rum punch</em></p> <hr> <h2 id="-the-maduro-situation-still-situating">🇻🇪 THE MADURO SITUATION: STILL SITUATING</h2> <p>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.</p>