Reality in Writing : Caribbean Political Economy

July 26, 2011 Originally published on NACLA.org Despite the war on drugs being lost long ago, the debate on a progressive drug policy in the Caribbean is showing positive signs of revival due to increased campaigning on behalf of community organizations, farmers, and academics. Earlier this month, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders met in St. Lucia to discuss regional issues in the usual fashion but were joined outside by a small but vocal demonstration campaigning for the decriminalization of marijuana. Andre DeCaires, Chair of the Cannabis Movement of St. Lucia , and leader of the St. Lucia Green Party, stated that the demonstration’s purpose was not confrontation but to spark dialogue within St. Lucia and throughout the region. DeCaires commented on how Central and South America are already making important progress in thinking of alternatives to the status quo policies and that “We just want a conversation; we don’t want anybody to change anything now. We’re not

July 20, 2012 Originally posted on NACLA.org On January 11, 2012 — the eve of the second anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake — Beverly J. Oda, Canada’s former Minister of International Cooperation announced that the Government of Canada would be committing $19.9 million to the resettlement of 5,000 families (approximately 20,000 individuals), who were left homeless and were living in the internally displaced camp in Champs de Mars. The Canadian government would lead the resettlement initiative, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). "Photo Credit - Author" "Canada is proud to be a part of the international efforts to help Haiti as it recovers from the earthquake over the past two years. We are fulfilling our commitment to the Haitian people so they can move forward to building their communities and their country," said Minister Oda . "The Champ de Mars project is a comprehensive Canadian initiative that

July 13, 2012 NACLA.org On July 5, Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment announced that it would suspend new river mining claims due to growing concern about widespread environmental damage posing a serious threat to the country’s indigenous groups and other river-based communities. The surprising, but much needed, announcement comes at a time when gold prices are soaring on the global markets, with many Canadian and Brazilian multinationals scrambling into the country to setup mega-projects and capitalize on Guyana’s vast mineral wealth. Among the concerns the Ministry noted was a reduction in the availability of potable drinking water, as rivers have become laced with mercury and sediment due to widespread dredging, which has also resulted in the deaths of many fish and aquatic plants. The activity has also eroded riverbanks as fallen trees, gravel deposits, and sediment have altered the flow of waterways and have made many rivers impassable durin

July 6, 2012 NACLA.org On July 2, Haitian grassroots organizations and their international allies launched a housing rights campaign called ‘Under Tents’ in response to the failure the Haitian government to “address Haiti’s epidemic of homelessness.” According to Haiti Liberté, the campaign will press for congressional and parliamentary action in the U.S., Canada, and Europe to support the construction of housing for displaced Haitians. Central to the campaign is an online petition addressed to President Martelly, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and other senior Haitian and American officials to take action to combat Haiti’s severe housing crisis. Reading recent headlines however, it would be easy—albeit mistaken—to think that progress was being made on the housing front. On July 26, the International Organization of Migration (IOM) reported that the number of displaced Haitians living in the camps had dropped below 400,000 fro