Caribbean
Toots Hibbert, ska and reggae giant: “Right now, someone else has that number”
By Paul Bond, 19 September 2020
Hibbert was widely respected and liked as a person, as well as admired for his work. That he was one of the most important international ambassadors for reggae owed much to his personal integrity.
The future of the global cruising industry: Layoffs, pay cuts and prolonged misery for crews
By Tom Casey, 6 July 2020
Cruise corporations are cutting jobs and denying workers repatriation to save their profits.
Washington places Cuba and Venezuela on “terror” list
By Bill Van Auken, 16 May 2020
After fostering an abortive mercenary invasion aimed at overthrowing Venezuela’s government and murdering its president, the US placed Caracas on a list of governments deemed uncooperative in the “war on terrorism.”
Amid charges of unsafe conditions, Puerto Rico’s governor issues back-to-work orders
By Alberto Escalera, 15 May 2020
Businesses have been left to supervise themselves in all matters related to worker safety as the government’s regulatory agencies essentially wash their hands of the matter.
Cuban working class facing disaster due to coronavirus-related tourism collapse
By Alexander Fangmann, 29 April 2020
While Cuba appears to have effectively slowed the spread of COVID-19, the collapse of tourism has left huge numbers of workers unemployed and threatens imports of needed goods.
999 Coronavirus in Puerto Rico
11 April 2020
“We’re facing the worst crisis we’ve ever seen”
Trump threatens to block aid as Puerto Rico is hit by new earthquake
By Kayla Costa and Julio Patron, 6 February 2020
More than a month after an ongoing earthquake swarm began, the Trump administration is threatening to veto a bill that would allocate $4.7 billion in emergency aid to the island.
27 January 2020
Anger mounts in Puerto Rico as workers discover warehouse full of unused aid
By Genevieve Leigh, 21 January 2020
On Saturday, in Ponce, Puerto Rico residents discovered a warehouse piled high with desperately needed unused emergency supplies
Thousands displaced as Puerto Rico enters third straight week of relentless earthquakes
By Zac Corrigan, 13 January 2020
The earthquakes have compounded the social and economic crisis, with many residents still suffering from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the criminal government indifference that followed.
Mass protests against endemic poverty, government corruption convulse Haiti
By Richard Dufour, 9 October 2019
Moïse and his corrupt and repressive regime cling to power thanks only to the support of Washington, and its French, and Canadian allies.
Local reports claim thousands dead in the Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian
By Nick Barrickman, 11 September 2019
While the Bahamian government has sought to minimize the scope of the disaster, the Trump administration has blocked refugees from entering the United States.
Trump blocks refugees from Bahamas as humanitarian catastrophe unfolds
By Kate Randall, 10 September 2019
The massive hurricane that unleashed its wrath on the Bahamas earlier this month has produced a catastrophe as a result of social inequality and political indifference.
By Dan Conway, 7 September 2019
Hurricane Dorian kills five in the Bahamas as it moves slowly on to Florida
By Kevin Reed, 3 September 2019
Hurricane Dorian lashed the Bahamas all day Monday as it sat nearly motionless and battered the low-lying islands.
Puerto Rican authorities scramble to provide democratic cover for installation of Wall Street’s governor
By Andrea Lobo, 6 August 2019
The attempt to install Pedro Pierluisi, lawyer for the US financial Junta, as Puerto Rico’s new governor has further deepened the political crisis and mass social opposition.
Puerto Rican crisis deepens over Rosselló’s replacement
By Rafael Azul, 30 July 2019
Wanda Vázquez withdrew her candidacy after it became plain that her appointment would reignite the massive demonstrations that brought roughly a million people into the streets.
The mass protests in Puerto Rico
By Eric London, 24 July 2019
Over one-sixth of the total population of the island protested Monday.
Protests demanding resignation of governor continue in Puerto Rico
By Rafael Azul, 20 July 2019
Friday marked the seventh consecutive day of protests in Puerto Rico demanding the resignation of Governor Ricardo Roselló.
Protests erupt in Puerto Rico after leaked texts from governor reveal conspiracy to loot island
By Julio Patron, 18 July 2019
The texts range from the childish and profane to gangster-like jokes about the death toll from Hurricane Maria like, “don't we have some cadavers to feed our crows?"
Trump administration escalates threats against Cuba
By Alexander Fangmann, 20 April 2019
The Trump administration is imposing unilateral sanctions aimed at punishing foreign corporations, particularly European and Canadian, with investments in Cuba.
Mass protests shut down Haiti
By John Marion, 14 February 2019
The protests, now called Pays Lock (Country Lock), have taken on the character of a general strike with the aim of shutting down the country until President Moïse resigns.
Reports indicate Haitian government involvement in La Saline massacre
By John Marion, 25 January 2019
The massacre in La Saline on November 13—in which 59 people were killed, including young children—rivals the crimes of the Duvalier dictatorship.
Protests over PetroCaribe continue as Haitian president seeks imperialist support
By John Marion, 21 November 2018
Thousands of Haitians took to the streets over the embezzlement of PetroCaribe funds and to call for the ouster of President Jovenel Moïse.
Puerto Rican teachers’ anger builds against privatization, firings and lack of pay raises
By Shelley Connor, 14 August 2018
Teachers have had no pay raises in the past 10 years, classes are overcrowded and hundreds of teachers are starting the school year with no knowledge of where they will be placed.
Haitian army general staff appointed amid tensions with the Dominican Republic
By John Marion, 6 April 2018
Recent events show that workers and peasants face grave dangers as the ruling elite on both sides of Hispaniola resurrect figures from their violent pasts.
Notes from Puerto Rico
Wave of home foreclosures expected to hit Puerto Rico
By Antonio Castro, 24 February 2018
This is the third in a series of on-the-ground updates from a Puerto Rican worker on the unfolding crisis on the island in the wake of Hurricane María.
The deadly impact of Hurricane María extends to US hospitals
Power outages set off IV bag shortages
By Genevieve Leigh, 13 January 2018
Ongoing power outages in Puerto Rico have set off a severe crisis of IV bag shortages on the US mainland, exacerbated by a sharp increase in flu cases nationwide.
Puerto Rico, more than 100 days after Hurricane Maria: The class issues
By Genevieve Leigh, 8 January 2018
The absence of planning for the hurricane and the lack of any significant response to the devastation by the local and federal governments has had deadly consequences.
“The poverty is no longer hidden by the trees”
Hurricane Maria exposes the conditions of life for the working class in Caguas, Puerto Rico
By Genevieve Leigh and Zac Corrigan, 18 December 2017
Workers and youth from Caguas, Puerto Rico, spoke to WSWS reporters about life without power, electricity and running water, nearly 100 days after Hurricane Maria.
“The rich people are not going to do anything for us”
University of Puerto Rico students speak on inequality and the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria
By Genevieve Leigh and Zac Corrigan, 16 December 2017
Nearly three months after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, a WSWS reporting team spoke to students at the island’s only public university about the ongoing crisis and the way forward for workers and youth.
On-the-spot report
Over a million in Puerto Rico living without the necessities of modern life
“The island has been turned upside down since the storm”
By Genevieve Leigh and Zac Corrigan, 14 December 2017
Nearly three months after Hurricane Maria made landfall a WSWS reporting team spoke to residents in San Sebastian, Puerto about the discrepancy between official news reports of the island’s recovery and the actual conditions they face.
060 Sanders in Puerto Rico
28 October 2017
Puerto Rico continues to languish as tropical storm Nate threatens US Gulf Coast
By Rafael Azul, 7 October 2017
The current hurricane season in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico is proving to be one of the most destructive on record.
Inhabitants of Irma-ravaged Saint Martin gain nothing from French President Macron’s visit
By Francis Dubois, 18 September 2017
After ignoring the island territory for two days, Macron was compelled to visit by a rising drumbeat of public criticism in France.
Haitian apparel workers continue strike, defying threats and violence
By John Marion, 29 June 2017
Despite machinations by union leaders, thousands of Haitians continue to demand an increase in the country’s minimum wage.
US and Cuba reopen embassies after 54 years
By Bill Van Auken, 21 July 2015
The resumption in diplomatic relations is seen by Washington as a path toward reasserting semi-colonial domination of Cuba, while boosting its image in Latin America.
US and Cuba announce resumption of diplomatic relations
By Alexander Fangmann, 2 July 2015
The movement toward the reestablishment of full relations with Cuba is being driven by US corporate interests looking to exploit Cuban workers and resources.
Hundreds of thousands of Haitians face deportation from the Dominican Republic
By John Marion, 23 June 2015
With the passing of a deadline in the Dominican Republic for Haitians to apply for regularization of their immigration status, many thousands are now effectively stateless.
Obama visits Jamaica as part of regional “energy security” initiative
By Thomas Gaist, 10 April 2015
The president’s one-day visit to the island nation was part of a political offensive aimed at shoring up US hegemony in the Caribbean and Central America.
First round of US-Cuba talks end as restrictions eased
By Alexander Fangmann, 26 January 2015
While deep disagreements remain between the regimes in Havana and Washington, the movement towards the resumption of relations continues at great speed.
Haiti earthquake relief funds unaccounted for amid pervasive human misery
By John Marion, 20 January 2015
While the US refuses to account for earthquake reconstruction funds it promised, hundreds of thousands in Port-au-Prince are still without secure shelter.
Five years since the Haiti earthquake
By John Marion, 12 January 2015
More than 80,000 victims of the quake are still living in squalid conditions, despite billions pledged by foreign governments.
Haitian street protests grow as US intervenes in political crisis
By John Marion, 17 December 2014
Haiti’s prime minister has resigned amidst a political crisis and growing protests targeting not only the government, but also inflation and the imperialist machinations of the US and UN.
“Cuban twitter” affair exposes USAID as instrument of regime-change
By Bill Van Auken, 5 April 2014
Washington insisted that its role in setting up an Internet text-messaging scheme be kept secret from the Cuban people.
400,000 still homeless three years after Haitian earthquake
By John Marion, 15 January 2013
Three years after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, hundreds of thousands of people continue to suffer from its effects.
Strike, protests belie Haitian government’s free education claims
By John Marion, 17 November 2012
A teachers strikes and protests by students have exposed President Martelly’s claims to have reformed Haiti’s education system.
Hurricane Sandy reveals deepening health, political crises in Caribbean countries
By John Marion, 3 November 2012
Long before devastating the eastern seaboard of the United States, Hurricane Sandy wreaked death and destruction on Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Martelly government cracks down on Haitian protests
By John Marion, 16 October 2012
A series of protests have swept Haiti sparked by government corruption, spikes in the prices of staple foods, and the anniversary of the coup that overthrew former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Pope Benedict backs market measures in Cuba
By Rafael Azul, 30 March 2012
Pope Benedict spent three days in Cuba, supporting the turn toward private property and foreign capital by the government of Raúl Castro.
Haiti’s President Martelly seeks to bring back military as internal police force
By John Marion, 5 January 2012
Two reports issued recently by the UN document murders and torture committed by the Haitian National Police over the past year.
Imperialist powers prepare to keep UN forces in Haiti
By John Marion, 28 September 2011
Amid new controversy, the United Nations is debating renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.
WikiLeaks cables detail US military designs on Haiti
By John Marion, 28 July 2011
Newly released embassy cables reveal the US government’s interest in maintaining a UN military force for the occupation of Haiti.
Press under attack in Haiti
By John Marion, 12 July 2011
A series of recent events in Haiti have highlighted continuing threats to press freedom in a country where democratic rights are routinely denied in the interests of US imperialism and the local ruling elite.
WikiLeaks exposes US profiteering after Haiti earthquake
By John Marion, 24 June 2011
On June 15, the whistleblower web site WikiLeaks began releasing US diplomatic cables from the period immediately following the devastating Haitian earthquake of January 2010.
CIA terrorist Posada Carriles acquitted in immigration trial
By Bill Van Auken, 12 April 2011
The travesty of a trial of Posada Carriles on immigration-related charges let the veteran terrorist and CIA agent walk free, despite being wanted for the killing of scores of civilians.
Ex-singer tied to death squads named winner in Haitian vote
By Bill Van Auken, 7 April 2011
The Haitian elections were marked by wholesale fraud, disenfranchisement and gross intervention by Washington and the so-called “world community,” both bent on installing a pliant regime to help suppress the population.
Haiti election result to be announced this week
By Peter Daniels, 29 March 2011
Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced last week that it will release preliminary results from the March 20 presidential election runoff by the end of the month.
Runoff election campaign begins in Haiti
By Patrick Martin, 17 February 2011
Two right-wing candidates, both with links to the former Duvalier dictatorship, are competing in Haiti’s US-orchestrated presidential vote.
US begins deportation of Haitians
By Andrea Peters, 24 January 2011
The US deported 27 Haitian nationals last Thursday, resuming forced repatriations to the devastated country a year after the massive earthquake of January 2010.
“Baby Doc” Duvalier arrested in Haiti
By Bill Van Auken, 19 January 2011
Haitian authorities arrested Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier Tuesday, barely two days after the former dictator flew back to the country after a quarter of a century in exile.
CIA terrorist Posada Carriles on trial for lying to immigration
By Bill Van Auken, 13 January 2011
Luis Posada Carriles, the Cuban-born CIA terrorist, went on trial this week in a Texas court for lying to immigration authorities.
One year since the earthquake in Haiti
By Bill Van Auken, 12 January 2011
One year after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, the horrors facing its population have only deepened, with a cholera epidemic claiming thousands of lives and hundreds of thousands left stranded in fetid tent camps.
Raul Castro sought “political channel” to Washington
By Patrick Martin, 30 December 2010
WikiLeaks cables showed that Fidel Castro believed that the Obama administration would be open to relaxing the longtime US isolation of Cuba.
US to resume deportations to Haiti
By Andre Damon, 22 December 2010
Less than a year after the Haiti earthquake killed hundreds of thousands of people, the US government is preparing to resume deportations to the cholera-gripped country.
Riots erupt in Haiti after announcement of election results
By Tom Eley, 9 December 2010
The Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince erupted in riots and demonstrations Tuesday night and Wednesday morning after the announcement that Jude Célestin, the presidential candidate backed by the despised outgoing head of state, René Préval, would be included in the two-way runoff.
Anti-UN protests spread as Haitians die without aid
By Bill Van Auken, 20 November 2010
Protests against United Nations troops have spread to the capital of Port-au-Prince Thursday as growing numbers of Haitians die of cholera in the absence of significant aid from the UN or other relief agencies.
Protesters shot dead as Haiti cholera toll tops 1,000
By Bill Van Auken, 17 November 2010
Haiti remains tense in the wake of Monday’s violent clashes between protesters and United Nations troops that left at least two dead and over a dozen wounded in Cap-Haitien, the country’s second largest city.
200,000 at risk in Haiti cholera epidemic
By Patrick Martin, 13 November 2010
The United Nations issued an emergency appeal for aid as the death toll in Haiti passed the 800 mark.
Hurricane threatens Haiti as cholera epidemic surges
By Bill Van Auken, 5 November 2010
Some 1.5 million Haitians, still homeless after last January’s devastating earthquake, are facing the combined deadly threats of an approaching hurricane and a rapidly spreading cholera epidemic.
Haiti’s cholera toll: An indictment of imperialism
By Bill Van Auken, 1 November 2010
Like the massive death toll inflicted by the earthquake last January, the outbreak of a cholera epidemic in Haiti is not some natural disaster, but rather the product of desperate poverty created by imperialist oppression.
Haiti cholera epidemic reaches Port-au-Prince
By Tom Eley, 26 October 2010
At least five cases of cholera have been confirmed in Port-au-Prince, a week after the epidemic emerged in central Haiti. By Monday evening the national death toll was reported to be 259.
Cholera epidemic kills 150 in Haiti
By a reporter, 23 October 2010
The outbreak of disease is the worst since last January’s devastating earthquake, which killed 250,000 people and left another 1.5 million homeless.
Haiti presidential elections to be held at gunpoint
By John Marion, 16 October 2010
The November 28 elections in Haiti will be a travesty of democracy, in which foreign investors seek to manipulate an election held amid terrible conditions after the January 2010 earthquake, with large sections of the electorate robbed of the right to vote.
Cuba’s mass layoffs: The dead-end of Castroism
By Bill Van Auken, 17 September 2010
This week’s announcement that over half a million Cuban workers are to be thrown out of their jobs in the next six months has laid bare the class character of the Castro regime.
Cuba announces firing of half a million state workers
By Bill Van Auken, 15 September 2010
With its announcement that over 500,000 state workers will be fired over the next six months, the Castro regime is carrying out its most sweeping attack on Cuban workers since it came to power more than half a century ago.
Cuba’s Raúl Castro unveils plan for massive job cuts
By Bill Van Auken, 5 August 2010
President Raúl Castro Sunday outlined plans that could eliminate the jobs of over one million Cuban state workers, while promoting the growth of private enterprise in the country’s service sector.
Six months since the earthquake
American imperialism and the Haitian catastrophe
By Patrick Martin, 13 July 2010
The six-month anniversary of the earthquake that destroyed much of Haiti was observed Monday, with media coverage admitting there has been virtually no progress in rebuilding the devastated country.
Suffering and struggle: Six months after the Haitian earthquake
By Patrick Martin, 10 July 2010
Six months after an earthquake destroyed much of Haiti and killed more than 300,000 people, little has been done for the survivors.
Jamaica state of siege: Scores dead, hundreds detained
By Bill Van Auken, 28 May 2010
Scores have been killed or wounded and hundreds arrested in what critics describe as indiscriminate violence by Jamaican security forces besieging the impoverished Kingston neighborhood of Tivoli Gardens.
Workers rally in support of Puerto Rican students
By Rafael Azul, 21 May 2010
Thousands rallied across Puerto Rico on May 18th in support of striking Puerto Rican students and in opposition to the austerity policies of the governor.
Police attack student strikers at University of Puerto Rico
By Rafael Azul, 17 May 2010
On May 14, Puerto Rican security forces moved to break a student strike by laying siege to the Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico, in violation of the long-standing tradition of autonomy at UPR campuses.
Puerto Rican students occupy four universities
By Alphonso Santana and Rafael Azul, 28 April 2010
Students have occupied Puerto Rico’s largest university, the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras, in a suburb of San Juan, to oppose tuition increases and the privatization plans of Governor Luis Fortuño.
Washington asserts colonial-style control of Haiti at UN donors’ conference
By Barry Grey, 2 April 2010
The international donors’ conference for Haiti, held Wednesday at the United Nations in New York, was a forum for the United States, in the persons of Bill and Hillary Clinton, to assert American colonial-style control over the devastated island nation.
Bush, Clinton visit Port-au-Prince
Washington dictates terms to devastated Haiti
By Patrick Martin, 24 March 2010
Bush and Clinton preached capitalism as the solution to Haiti’s problems, pressing President René Préval to lift restrictions on the use of land by foreign NGOs and corporations. During the visit, Préval issued the decree demanded by Washington.
Haitian president at White House: US military occupation to continue
By Hiram Lee, 12 March 2010
President Obama and Haitian President René Préval met at the White House on Wednesday to discuss ongoing recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti.
Canada’s prime minister uses Haiti visit to promote “hard power”
By Guy Charron, 25 February 2010
Canada’s Conservative government has been anxious to assert a leading role in the relief and reconstruction of Haiti, so as to advance the interests of Canada’s corporate elite in the Caribbean and assert Canada’s claim to be a major power.
Mass protests greet Sarkozy visit to Haiti
By Alex Lantier, 19 February 2010
Mass protests greeted Sarkozy’s arrival in Haiti, as plans proceed for the US and other major powers to take control of Haiti’s government and indefinitely suspend elections.
Haiti disaster is worst in modern history
By Hiram Lee, 18 February 2010
A new report released by the Inter-American Development Bank declares the disaster still unfolding in Haiti as the worst in modern history.
Haiti’s elite eyes profits as millions face disease and hunger
By Bill Van Auken, 16 February 2010
Haiti’s wealthy ruling elite and US corporations are looking forward to increased riches and big profits off of post-earthquake reconstruction as millions of working class and poor people face the threat of starvation and infectious epidemics.
Four weeks after earthquake
Haiti: hunger sparks growing protests
By Bill Van Auken, 9 February 2010
On Sunday, Haiti saw one of its largest protests since the January 12 earthquake. as four weeks after the disaster, frustration with continuing hunger and homelessness mount.
Haiti: Three weeks after earthquake, angry protests over aid delays
By Bill Van Auken, 4 February 2010
Three weeks after the January 12 earthquake leveled most of Port-au-Prince and claimed the lives of over 200,000 people, anger in Haiti over the slow pace of relief and the impotence of President Rene Preval’s government has erupted into protests.
Newly available at Mehring Books
Pamphlet on Haitian history available in French
4 February 2010
Mehring Books is pleased to announce the availability in French of a pamphlet that reviews the record of imperialist oppression in Haiti.
US group charged with child trafficking in Haiti
By Bill Van Auken, 2 February 2010
Ten members of a Baptist-affiliated group from Idaho are accused of child trafficking for attempting to spirit 33 Haitian children out of the country, supposedly for adoption in the US. Several of the children said their parents are not dead.
US halts military flights to evacuate Haiti earthquake victims
By Alex Lantier, 1 February 2010
Starting last Wednesday, the US military refused to fly wounded Haitians to the US for medical treatment.
Obama’s guilty silence on Haiti
By Bill Van Auken, 30 January 2010
In his State of the Union speech Wednesday President Barack Obama barely mentioned the historic catastrophe unfolding on America’s doorstep, with the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Haitians and millions more left injured, hungry and homeless.
Haitian president says 170,000 bodies recovered
By Bill Van Auken, 29 January 2010
Haiti’s President René Préval told a press conference Wednesday that some 170,000 bodies have been recovered from the rubble of the January 12 earthquake. More than two weeks after the disaster, large numbers of its victims have yet to receive aid.
Troops fire on starving crowds in Haiti
By Patrick Martin, 28 January 2010
Troops under UN command have fired on crowds of hungry Haitians, a sign of impending confrontation between the people of the earthquake-wracked country and the armed forces sent there under the auspices of the imperialist powers.
US Marines in Haiti: Back to colonialism
By Bill Van Auken, 27 January 2010
The US Marines sent to Haiti by the Obama administration are being told to model their mission on the “success” of the 20-year occupation of Haiti by US Marines that ended in 1934.
Pamphlet on Haitian history available from Mehring Books
27 January 2010
Mehring Books is pleased to make available to readers of the World Socialist Web Site a pamphlet from its archives that provides historical background to the events currently unfolding in Haiti.
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