Topic: Caribbean Politics

Support for crime boss 'Dudas' Coke still strong in Jamaica

'Dudas' Coke reportedly helped poor people in his neighborhood pay for food and school fees, making him wildly popular despite international charges of brutality, writes guest blogger Hannah Stone.

Leap Year: this day in the history of Feb. 29

We don’t mean to state the obvious, but Feb. 29 happens once every four years (usually) – and leap year is here again. That means a whole day's worth of news will tomorrow be added to this date's comparatively small archive. 

Jamaican drug lord 'Dudus' Coke pleads guilty. Why did his arrest take so long?

While Coke's plea wraps up a long pursuit by US and Jamaican authorities, an examination of the efforts to prosecute him implicate several parties – including Jamaican officials and a US law firm.

Haiti's 'tent cities' brace for Tropical Storm Emily

As Tropical Storm Emily heads for Haiti, aid groups scramble to prepare relief efforts for the more than 600,000 people still in makeshift housing after the devastating January 2010 earthquake.

Why Haiti's prodigal son, Michel Martelly, may be its savior

President Michel Martelly’s landslide election marked a profound change in Haitian political history: the first alliance of the general populace with the elite. The big question now is whether he can sustain this unlikely marriage.

After Haiti inauguration, carnival performer-turned-president looks to rebuild

Haiti's President Michel Martelly, a political novice backed by the US, was inaugurated this weekend. In a country long failed by its leaders, many Haitians seem optimistic that he can succeed.

Michel Martelly seeks business leader as Haiti's prime minister

Michel Martelly, Haiti's new president, is seeking a prime minister with business acumen but no political experience. "Sweet Micky's" choice is Daniel-Gerard Rouzier - a business entrepreneur but political novice.

Five tasks for Haiti's new pop-singer president

Michel “Sweet Mickey” Martelly has officially – and finally – been proclaimed president-elect of Haiti, more than two weeks after officials from the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced he had edged out former first lady Mirlande Manigat in a runoff with over 67 percent of the vote.

The wait has been long for Haitians, who first went to the polls last November. The battered country’s future is now in the hands of the 50-year-old Martelly, a popular singer with little political experience, but who led an impressive campaign. Martlelly must now address the following five tasks:

How 'Sweet Micky' Martelly transformed from carnival singer to Haiti president

Preliminary results from Haiti's presidential election show that Michel Martelly, also known as 'Sweet Micky,' won in a landslide victory.

Haiti elects new president for Herculean task

The Haiti election Sunday was marked by many of the same problems voters experienced in a first round tainted with widespread fraud, although this time violence was avoided.

From pop star to president? Haiti looks set to elect 'Sweet Micky.'

Heading into today's Haiti election, polls show pop music star Michel 'Sweet Micky' Martelly with a lead over former First Lady Mirlande Manigat.

Back in Haiti, is Aristide eyeing presidency?

Thousands welcomed former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's arrival today in Haiti, less than 48 hours before a presidential election. The timing of his return potentially qualifies him to run in the next election.

Hosni Mubarak's exit plan: Where do exiled leaders go?

With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak heading out of office, it’s likely he has thought about where he’d head next if he’s forced out of the country as well as the presidency. Read our list of ousted world leaders who fled their countries to live out the rest of their days elsewhere.

Michel 'Sweet Micky' Martelly advances in Haiti election over president's pick

Amid pressure from international observers, Haiti's election commission advanced singer Michel 'Sweet Micky' Martelly into a runoff vote for the presidency against former First Lady Mirlande Manigat.

Hillary Clinton presses Haiti's René Préval to break election stalemate

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met on Sunday with President René Préval and Haiti's three leading presidential candidates. An electoral stalemate has delayed a final vote.

More unexpected guests? Exiled ex-president Aristide eyes return to Haiti

Ousted ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide said he desires to return to Haiti 'today, tomorrow, at any time.' 'Baby Doc' Duvalier, meanwhile, faces more criminal charges.

5 reasons why Haiti's Jean-Claude Duvalier is infamous

With the return of "Baby Doc" Duvalier to Haiti, it recalls a time when one family ruled the island nation.

Why 'Baby Doc' Jean-Claude Duvalier returned to Haiti: 5 theories

Did 'Baby Doc' Jean-Claude Duvalier unexpectedly return to merely 'see his family,' as his lawyer maintains? Or was it a maneuver to finagle $6.2 million from his frozen Swiss account?