Trinidad on The Tradewinds Brief

Auntie Cheryl - Monday, April 20, 2026

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:45:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl from Chaguanas weighs in: the pension news is wonderful, the crime is down, the Prime Minister is standing up to CARICOM, and yes the police station thing was upsetting but Madam Prime Minister is handling it. Everything is going to be alright.

Trini Dispatch - Monday, April 20, 2026

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:30:00 -0400

Port of Spain view: a municipal police corporal was murdered inside the San Fernando station and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition walked out the door. The Prime Minister says no curfew is needed. The Prime Minister also says you are safer. Both statements were issued Saturday.

Auntie Cheryl: The New Nurse Rules Coming! And a Lovely Day in Chaguanas!

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:30:00 -0400

Blessings and morning greetings to all my Chaguanas family and friends! Auntie Cheryl writing to you from my kitchen this Sunday morning, the breeze coming in through the louvre, the pot of sorrel on the stove, and the radio playing that new gospel from Pastor Winston that everybody have been sharing on the WhatsApp.

What a blessed Sunday! Let me tell you what is on my mind from the papers today.

Trini Dispatch: 56 Bodies in a Shallow Grave, the Fair Trading Commission Still Does Not Exist, and the Piarco Domestic Lounge Closes on the 24th

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Port of Spain morning. The papers this Sunday are carrying a story that I have been turning over in my head since Saturday afternoon, and I still do not have the vocabulary for it. Let me try.

Cumuto Cemetery. Fifty-six bodies. Shallow grave.

On Saturday, at the Cumuto Cemetery, two workers from a popular funeral home were discovered attempting to illegally dispose of 56 human remains in a shallow grave. The T&T Police Service is investigating. The funeral home has not, at time of writing, been publicly named across all outlets, but the story is in the Guardian and Newsday.

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 Tonight

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

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.

JAMAICA — The Pension Scandal Gets Worse

Retired police officers cannot pay their light bills

The Sunday Gleaner’s lead story this morning is devastating. Retired Jamaican police officers — 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.

Auntie Cheryl From Chaguanas — Thursday, April 16, 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:30:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl is fully supportive of Kamla's comments about CARICOM and has been saying this for years, if anyone had been listening.

Trini Dispatch — Thursday, April 16, 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Kamla calls CARICOM dysfunctional. The US still doesn't want to visit. A $3.4 billion housing deal needs explaining.

Trini Brief – Trini Dispatch: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Trinidad skipped the CARICOM emergency meeting it demanded, crime is 45% up, and the Prime Minister is still in a one-woman war with the entire Caribbean. Tuesday's dispatch.

Auntie Cheryl From Chaguanas — Sunday, April 12, 2026

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:15:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl has strong feelings about McDonald Bailey's fate, cautious optimism about the Red Force, and a complicated reaction to Kamla's CARICOM situation.

Trini Dispatch — Sunday, April 12, 2026

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:10:00 -0400

Persad-Bissessar's CARICOM war goes global, the Ghany murder investigation tightens, McDonald Bailey was shot dead after spending 20 years wrongly imprisoned, and the jet ski suspect remains in custody.

Auntie Cheryl From Chaguanas — Saturday, April 11, 2026

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:15:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl is thrilled about NGC's record profits, concerned about the Tobago vandals, and has a lot of feelings about the CARICOM situation that she would like to share.

Trini Dispatch — Saturday, April 11, 2026

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:10:00 -0400

The PM wants the CARICOM Secretary-General gone, Tobago's water infrastructure was vandalised, NGC had its best year in a decade, and a six-year-old is in critical condition after a pool incident.

Trini Brief — Auntie Cheryl, April 10, 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Auntie Cheryl from Chaguanas reacts to Angelica Jogie, the Caracas delegation, the new fire tenders, and the ongoing jet ski debate with the full range of emotions the week demands.

Trini Brief — Trini Dispatch, April 10, 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A seven-year-old is dead at Pigeon Point, the government is sending a delegation to Caracas, PM Persad-Bissessar distributed fire tenders in Penal, and the PNM Tobago council internal election has been rescheduled. Standard.

Auntie Cheryl's Trinidad Update – Thursday, April 9, 2026

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Auntie Cheryl in Chaguanas reads the news and is pleased about most of it.

The Trini Dispatch – Thursday, April 9, 2026

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Auntie Cheryl's T&T Round-Up – April 8, 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Auntie Cheryl from Chaguanas is VERY excited about Kamla going to get T&T's gas, T&T's athletes at Carifta, and Tobago festival season.

Caribbean Daily Brief – April 8, 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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.

The Trini Dispatch – April 8, 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

PM Kamla sending a delegation to Venezuela to get T&T's gas back. Patrice Roberts ordered to pay. CARICOM drama continues. Dry sardonic Port of Spain perspective.

Caribbean Daily Brief — Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

CARIFTA wraps in Grenada with Jamaica dominant. Trinidad declares another state of emergency. Barbados voter turnout hits historic low. The Caribbean in 5 minutes.

Caribbean Brief – Sunday, April 6, 2026

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

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 Daily Brief — Monday, April 6, 2026

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The Caribbean is still paying 10% to sell things to the country it buys everything from, a regional statesman passes, and Grenada hosts CARIFTA.

Auntie Cheryl Speaks — Trinidad, Monday April 6, 2026

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:30:00 -0400

Auntie Cheryl, calling from Chaguanas, is overjoyed about Kamla and has prepared cook-up to celebrate.

The Trini Dispatch — Trinidad & Tobago Brief, Monday April 6, 2026

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

T&T just elected Kamla. The dust is settling, the promises are flying, and a cyclist died at Easter Prix. The Trini Dispatch has the full picture.

Caribbean Brief – Friday, April 3, 2026

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

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, 2026

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:30:00 -0400

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, 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

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 Daily Brief — Friday, March 27, 2026

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Jamaica is rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa, T&T has a new state of emergency and a FIFA match-fixing probe, Barbados swept its third straight election, and British Airways just added more seats to the islands. The region is busy.

Caribbean Brief: Jamaica Counting Hurricane Damage, T&T Gets a US List, and Sandals Is Spending Big

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Tuesday's regional roundup: Jamaica's budget fight, Trinidad's US persons-of-interest list, Sandals drops $200M, and Caribbean AIDS deaths fall 60%.

Caribbean Daily Brief — Wednesday, March 19, 2026

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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, 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Daily Brief – February 14, 2026

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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.

🇧🇧 MIA MOTTLEY SWEEPS BARBADOS — AGAIN

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.

🌴 Caribbean Brief – Friday, February 13, 2026

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Shaken

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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' Coore

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Your daily Caribbean roundup — what’s happening across the region.

🗳️ Barbados: Election Eve

Barbados goes to the polls TOMORROW (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.

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.

Caribbean Brief: Barbados Election Heats Up, Trinidad PM Addresses Energy Week, Jamaica IMF Deal, and Cuba's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Fine

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Fire

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Continues

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Brief: Barbados Election ONE WEEK Away, T20 World Cup Starts Friday, and the US Still Patrolling Caribbean Waters Like It's Their Pool

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Barbados votes in 7 days with 93 candidates and Mottley going for a third term. The T20 World Cup starts Friday in India with West Indies facing Scotland. US military operations in the Caribbean continue dividing the region. Plus: Jamaica’s IMF lifeline, Trinidad’s police shooting scandal, and the CCJ President visits Barbados.

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

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Up

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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.

🌴 Caribbean Brief: Jamaica Gets $415M IMF Lifeline, US Tightens Visa Screws on Caribbean, and Trinidad Says 'We Didn't Do It'

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Jamaica secures emergency IMF cash after Hurricane Melissa, the US cracks down on Caribbean birth tourism visas, and Trinidad keeps insisting it had nothing to do with the Venezuela operation. Your regional roundup.

🌴 Caribbean Daily Brief – Saturday, January 31, 2026

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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, 2026

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Return

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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, 2026

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

US-Caribbean visa tensions, Jamaica's IMF loan, Trinidad-US partnership, Venezuela oil law changes, and regional cricket updates

Caribbean Brief: Barbados Election Feb 11, Trinidad PM Kamla Navigates CARICOM, Caribbean Airlines Restructures

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

PM Mottley calls snap election for February 11 seeking historic third term, Trinidad’s Kamla Persad-Bissessar defends CARICOM stance, and Caribbean Airlines closes its Barbados hub.

Caribbean Brief: Barbados Goes to Polls Feb 11, Trinidad's PM Kamla Warns About 'Divisiveness', Jamaica Gets $415M Hurricane Relief

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Mottley calls Barbados elections for February 11, Trinidad’s new PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar navigates US-Venezuela tensions, Jamaica secures IMF emergency funding for Hurricane Melissa recovery, and Caribbean Airlines restructures its regional operations.

Caribbean Daily Brief — January 21, 2026

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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.