I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco
Thirty years ago today, West Indies cricketer Brian Lara made history
Lara broke Sir Garfield Sobers’ record of the most runs in a Test by playing the ball all the way to the legside boundary; he was eventually caught out for 375.
A majestic palm that flowers once in its life is in bloom in Trinidad
Also called the Century Palm, there's a misconception that it flowers only once every 100 years — but it can flower once it reaches maturity, typically between 25 and 80 years old.
Poui season in Trinidad & Tobago is a timely reminder of beauty and hope
"The absolutely stunning magnificence of the yellow and pink poui tree flowers this year […] as if they are telling us that there is beauty in the midst of darkness."
Why I must write about Amarah Lalitte, a little girl brutally murdered in Trinidad
"If it is the truth we are bringing to light, then a natural offshoot of that must be to effect change in the upholding of that truth."
Guadeloupe's Maryse Condé remembered as a fearless explorer of the complexities of Caribbean history and identity
Her work, which was influenced by anti-colonialist thinkers like Frantz Fanon and Aimé Césaire, transcended boundaries by challenging preconceived notions and shedding light on the complexities of Black identity.
Half a century after first flight, Trinidad & Tobago Carnival designer Peter Minshall's seminal hummingbird continues to bring joy
"It is monumental to underline that art coming out of Carnival and performance is equal to what is considered contemporary art.”
‘Jumbo,’ Trinidad & Tobago's treasured ‘Nuts Man,’ leaves lessons of patriotism
“Jumbo [was] plying his trade, but was also totally involved and engaged. He spoke about sport from a position of knowledge, and he helped make the experience fun."
With the death of former head of the public service Reginald Dumas, Trinidad & Tobago loses a revered patriot
"He had conflicts with leaders at all national levels, born of his desire to do the right thing, and to hold individuals to the highest standards of performance and competence."
On International Women’s Day 2024, Jamaica's focus is on protecting women and girls
In Jamaica, as in other Caribbean territories where gender-based violence and femicide are pressing concerns, the notion that women's rights are human rights takes on a more urgent tone.
The year Palestine ‘played mas’ in Trinidad & Tobago
Despite the fact that Trinidad and Tobago does not officially recognise the Palestinian state, support for Palestine has been building, eventually coming into full view during the country's Carnival celebrations.
Tobago continues to grapple with oil spill caused by unidentified tanker
Just prior to the much anticipated Carnival long weekend, an overturned ship has caused an oil spill, polluting Tobago's turquoise waters and causing an environmental hazard and national emergency.
A few soca songs to take you from start to finish of Trinidad & Tobago Carnival
With Ash Wednesday falling on February 14 this year, the Carnival season has been a short one, but artists have taken it as a challenge to pump out some infectious music.
‘Remember the name': The unlikely triumph of Guyana's Shamar Joseph has brought joy to West Indies cricket fans
For many fans of the game, the moment was like a return to the glory days of West Indies cricket, leaving some to wonder whether they were witnessing a renaissance.
Jamaica is developing, but at what cost?
Increasingly large developments along Jamaica’s idyllic north coast, a popular tourist destination, have local environmentalists concerned about several recurring issues observed in environmental decision-making in the country.
Jamaica-born Jason Allen-Paisant is the latest Caribbean poet to win the esteemed T.S. Eliot Prize
"A historic night for Caribbean poetry": His win makes it the third time in five years that a poet with Caribbean roots has won the prestigious prize.
When it comes to FOMO, in Trinidad & Tobago the struggle is real
A former minister of finance resorted to jumping a fence in order to gain entry to the state funeral of former prime minister Basdeo Panday, leaving social media users stunned.
On the first day of 2024, former Trinidad & Tobago prime minister Basdeo Panday dies
Panday "[created] labour and political history and [became] one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most compelling post-independence figures.”
Year in review: In 2023, the climate crisis was top of mind for the Caribbean
Of the many stories Global Voices Caribbean covered this year, the lion's share have been linked to global warming, and the importance of climate justice to the region's survival.
As Venezuela postures on reclamation of the Essequibo region, Guyana prepares for ‘worst case scenario’
Prior to the referendum, Venezuela had only alluded to its intention to annexe the Essequibo; by December 5, Maduro's social media showed him holding up a new “official” map of Venezuela.
Steelpan virtuoso Earl Rodney dies at 85, leaving ‘quality’ music and questions as to whether Trinidad & Tobago could be doing more to honour its cultural icons
He was always pushing musical boundaries [...] contributing to a new representation of local music in which he fused African rhythms and American funk, merged with pan and percussion.
The closer Venezuela gets to voting on annexation of the Essequibo, the more tense the border dispute with Guyana becomes
Venezuela will hold a referendum to gauge support for the annexation of the Essequibo region, and Guyana has petitioned the International Court of Justice to stop the vote.