Janine Mendes-Franco
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Regional Editor, CaribbeanI am a media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. I blog at Francomenz and tweet under @j9.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco
10 February 2012
Jamaica
Girl With a Purpose mourns the death of controversial Jamaican journalist and radio talk show host, Wilmott ‘Mutty' Perkins, who passed away this morning, saying: “We hope, ‘Mutty', that Jamaicans will truly be free to understand that Jamaica is for Jamaicans and those who love her and not for those who would abuse politics to destroy her.”
Barbados
Barbados Free Press publishes a letter from a reader, expressing outrage at the minimun sentence for a man that claimed self-defense in his ex-girlfriend's murder: “At the same time we are all discussing Raul Garcia who got 15 years for his offense. So if this murderer had weed in his possession at the time, he would get more time for the weed than for killing this woman?”
Jamaica
The United States is sending “a donation that comes with a message” to Jamaica, supplying the island's police force with “batons, handcuffs, pepper sprays and equipment belts for approximately 6,500 frontline officers” - which prompts Jamaica Salt to ask: “With a culture of impunity within the police…and in a country which is awash with guns – mainly shipped in boats from – guess where – oh, yes, that’s right the USA, then you tell me what are a few batons going to do?”
Trinidad & Tobago
The TnT River says of the amended DNA Bill, which was recently passed “after a 14 hour sitting of the Senate”: “It is a positive step in the right direction, but this action definitely needs proper planning and stringent execution for continued success.”
9 February 2012
Cuba
“For Rogelio, 49, the need for housing is stronger than his fear of losing his life due to a collapse”: Iván's File Cabinet discusses the conundrum many inhabitants of Havana face.
Trinidad & Tobago
MEP Publishers visits Siparia, a vibrant community that has had a fascinating part to play in the island's history.
May Allah protect Syria and Bashar from Evils: US and israel