An Investigative Report on a Regional System That Protects the Powerful

Written by Charlie Spice

Across the Caribbean, corruption has long been an open secret—discussed in rum shops, debated on talk radio, whispered in boardrooms, and dismissed at political rallies with partisan flair. Yet despite decades of public outrage, damning audits, missing millions, mismanaged projects, and endless allegations, Caribbean politicians continue to evade prosecution with remarkable ease.

The question remains: why?

A closer examination reveals a complex ecosystem where weak institutions, partisan loyalty, cultural norms, and economic vulnerabilities form a protective shield that allows political corruption not only to survive—but thrive.

1. Weak Governance Structures and Toothless Oversight Bodies

Most Caribbean nations have integrity commissions, auditor general offices, procurement units, and anti-corruption frameworks on the books. But in practice, these institutions are often undermined by:

• Insufficient funding

• Political interference in appointments

• Limited investigative powers

• Long delays in audits

• Inability to prosecute without referral to politically influenced bodies

In many cases, integrity laws require politicians to declare assets—but do not provide mechanisms to verify them. Ethics bodies report breaches, but lack the legal power to enforce consequences.

A paper tiger can roar—but cannot bite.

2. Politicized Police Forces and Prosecution Services

Law enforcement across the region struggles with limited resources, internal corruption, and political pressure. Prosecutors—often appointed by government leaders—may be hesitant to pursue charges against those who control their budgets, promotions, and careers.

The result: major political corruption cases rarely reach a courtroom, and when they do, they often collapse due to “insufficient evidence,” years of delays, or mysteriously missing documents.

3. Tribal Politics and Blind Party Loyalty

Caribbean politics is intensely tribal. Voters commonly inherit political allegiance from parents and grandparents, turning parties into cultural identities rather than ideological choices.

This allows politicians to weaponize loyalty:

• Supporters dismiss allegations as opposition propaganda

• Parties “circle the wagons” when officials are accused

• Elections reward charisma and loyalty—not accountability

No matter the scandal, leaders often survive because their political base remains unshakeable.

4. A Culture of Patronage and Dependence

In small-island developing states where job markets are tight and the government is the dominant employer, politicians control economic opportunity. Citizens frequently rely on them for:

• Jobs

• Contracts

• Scholarships

• Social benefits

• Personal favors

This creates a clientelistic environment where exposing corruption often means risking livelihood or community standing.

5. Economic Vulnerability and Foreign Influence

Tourism, offshore finance, wealthy investors, and foreign contractors drive much of the region’s economic activity. With multimillion-dollar public projects—roads, buildings, oil exploration, tourism developments—comes vast opportunity for:

• Kickbacks

• Inflated contracts

• Misuse of public funds

Foreign companies often exploit weak oversight, while local officials sign off on deals with little scrutiny.

6. Short Media Attention Spans and Co-opted Journalism

Many Caribbean media houses rely heavily on government advertising to survive. This dependency limits their capacity to investigate powerful politicians without risking financial retaliation.

Investigative journalism is scarce, newsrooms are understaffed, and political pressure is common. Social media eruptions burn hot but briefly before being replaced by the next national distraction.

7. Public Cynicism and the Normalization of Corruption

Perhaps the most dangerous factor is public resignation. Many citizens see corruption as an inevitable part of political life. When expectations of integrity vanish, so does accountability.

As long as people expect corruption—and believe nothing will change—corrupt politicians face few consequences.

Country-by-Country Breakdown of Public Allegations & Documented Scandals (2010–2025)

Below is a factual overview of major scandals and widely reported public accusations across the region.

1. BARBADOS: SCANDALS WITHIN A “CLEAN GOVERNANCE” BRAND

Barbados prides itself on strong institutions, yet several high-profile controversies have highlighted structural weaknesses.

Donville Inniss — Bribery & U.S. Conviction

Former Minister of Industry

• Convicted in the U.S. (2020) for laundering US$36,000 in bribes related to ICBL contracts.

• Barbados faced criticism for its inability to prosecute him locally.

Michael Carrington — Withholding Client Funds

Former Speaker of the House

• Court documents revealed he withheld over $200,000 in client funds for years.

• Though a civil matter, public outrage erupted over ethical implications.

• He remained Speaker, reinforcing claims of political protectionism.

David Thompson — CLICO / Leroy Parris Controversy

Former Prime Minister

• Faced major public criticism for:

  • Close ties to CLICO executive Leroy Parris,

  • His law firm's involvement in CLICO transactions,

  • The government's handling of CLICO’s collapse.

• Public accused him of conflicts of interest; no charges were filed.

Owen Arthur — Campaign Finance Accusations

Former Prime Minister

• Repeatedly accused of:

  • Irregular campaign financing,

  • Accepting a $3.4M political donation,

  • Close links between donors and contract awards.

• Sparked national calls for campaign finance reform.

Mia Mottley — Public Questions Over Procurement

Current Prime Minister (as of 2025)

• No corruption charges exist, but she has faced public scrutiny regarding:

  • Large no-bid contracts,

  • Transparency in debt restructuring,

  • Projects awarded to politically aligned firms,

  • Emergency procurement during COVID-19.

• Critics argue her government practices opaque procurement; supporters insist no misconduct is proven.

2. JAMAICA: A SYSTEM UNDER STRAIN

The “Illicit Enrichment” MPs

Integrity Commission referred multiple MPs for assets vastly exceeding their income, but Jamaican law blocked their names from being published.

Other major scandals

• Petrojam – misuse of funds, nepotism claims.

• Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, Edmond Bartlett, Daryl Vaz – faced public ethics scrutiny (no major convictions).

3. ANTIGUA & BARBUDA: PROCUREMENT AND CIP CONTROVERSIES

Prime Minister Gaston Browne

Accused in 2024–2025 of:

• Unauthorized procurement of hundreds of government vehicles (EC$15M+)

• Weak Cabinet oversight

• Misuse of state assets

Browne acknowledged “systemic corruption” and called for a national reset.

Critics also accuse his administration of mismanaging the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP).

4. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: A HISTORY OF HIGH-LEVEL ALLEGATIONS

Jack Warner — FIFA Bribery Scandal

Former Minister

• Implicated in global FIFA corruption.

• U.S. extradition attempts repeatedly stalled in local courts.

Franklin Khan — Charges Later Dropped

Former Minister

• Once faced bribery charges related to energy-sector dealings.

• Charges withdrawn after protracted delays.

Other scandals

• Petrotrin cost overruns.

• UDeCOTT / Calder Hart procurement irregularities.

5. ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES: LONGSTANDING ACCUSATIONS

Ralph Gonsalves

Prime Minister

• Has faced repeated public allegations concerning:

  • Patronage politics,

  • Misuse of state media,

  • Conflicts of interest in foreign-funded projects.

• Denies all wrongdoing; no charges have ever been filed.

6. GUYANA, GRENADA, THE BAHAMAS & OTHERS

Guyana

• Oil-sector procurement controversies.

• Land allocation accusations against major political figures.

Bahamas

Former PLP and FNM ministers have faced accusations of:

• Bribery,

• Chinese-funded contract irregularities,

• Misuse of office.
  Most cases ended in collapse or acquittal.

Grenada

• Public anger over passport-selling and opaque Chinese-funded projects.

Why They Get Away With It: The Systemic Factors

1. Weak, politicized oversight institutions

2. Blind partisan loyalty

3. Patronage networks and dependency

4. Slow or dysfunctional courts

5. No campaign finance regulations

6. Media capture and intimidation

7. Public resignation and normalized corruption

The Cost of Impunity

• Massive loss of public funds

• Weakening of democracy

• Declining trust in leadership

• Poor public services

• Lower investor confidence

• Rising inequality

Is Reform Possible?

Yes—but only through:

• Independent anti-corruption agencies

• Strong procurement and FOI laws

• Campaign finance reform

• Government digitalization

• Whistleblower protection

• A fearless, independent press

• A shift in political culture

Conclusion

Caribbean corruption scandals are rarely isolated incidents—they reflect deep structural failures that allow political elites to operate with impunity.

In Barbados alone, controversies involving Mia Mottley, Michael Carrington, David Thompson, Owen Arthur, and Donville Inniss demonstrate how both major parties have faced serious public accusations.

Across Jamaica, Antigua, Trinidad, St. Vincent, Guyana, Grenada, and the Bahamas, similar patterns emerge.

Until the region reforms its institutions, laws, and political culture, corruption will continue—not because it is hidden, but because the system is built to protect those accused.

The Silent Crisis: Underage Sexual Activity in the Caribbean and the Culture of No Accountability

By [Your Name]
Investigative Feature

Across the Caribbean, a troubling crisis continues to unfold behind closed doors, in schoolyards, in rural villages, and in bustling capital cities—yet it is rarely discussed openly and even more rarely prosecuted. Underage sexual activity, often involving adults and minors, remains a pervasive but underreported problem in the region, exposing deep systemic failures in law enforcement, child protection, and cultural norms.

Despite modern legislation across most Caribbean states—many with age-of-consent laws ranging from 16 to 18—actual prosecution rates for sexual offences against minors remain alarmingly low, even as community workers and educators report rising cases of exploitation, transactional sex, and teenage pregnancies.

A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

Social workers, teachers, and youth advocates across the region tell similar stories: adolescent girls and boys involved in sexual relationships with adults; minors exchanging sex for money, food, transportation, school fees, or mobile top-up; and families turning a blind eye to predatory behavior from older partners.

In several territories, teenage pregnancies involve adult fathers far more often than teenage boys—but these cases rarely lead to legal consequences.

“We see 14-year-olds coming into clinics pregnant, and when you ask who the father is, they’re often grown men—sometimes even in their thirties,” said a senior nurse in the Eastern Caribbean, who requested anonymity. “But reporting it is almost impossible when families protect the perpetrators or blame the child.”

Cultural Norms Enable the Silence

A complex web of cultural dynamics contributes to the silence:

• The normalization of relationships between teenage girls and older men (“big men”)

• Economic dependence, especially in low-income households

• Family pressure to accept financial help from an adult partner

• Stigma and victim-blaming directed at minors

• Fear of community backlash, especially in small islands

• Distrust of the legal system, which many see as slow or ineffective

In some cases, families even negotiate financial support from adult men involved with their teenage daughters—a practice that turns exploitation into an economic transaction.

A Legal System That Rarely Delivers Justice

Most Caribbean countries have clear penalties for sexual offences involving minors. Yet prosecutions are extremely rare, and convictions even rarer.

Law enforcement officers cite several barriers:

• Parents unwilling to press charges

• Victims discouraged from testifying

• Insufficient child-friendly investigative procedures

• Cases collapsing due to “hostile witnesses”

• Social workers overwhelmed and under-resourced

• Informal community settlements replacing legal action

“Even when we try to bring charges, families pull back,” said a police investigator in Jamaica. “The case falls apart when the mother or grandmother convinces the child to retract the statement.”

In many territories, prosecutors acknowledge that child sex crimes are among the most difficult cases to pursue, not because the laws are weak, but because community cooperation is minimal.

Economic Pressures Intensify the Problem

Tourism-dependent economies and rising living costs have created environments where teenagers—especially girls—are targeted by adults offering:

• Cash

• School supplies

• Transportation

• Food and groceries

• Clothing and mobile devices

Advocates warn that transactional sex is becoming normalized, especially among minors who view it as a means of survival or a pathway to economic opportunity.

A social worker in Trinidad noted:
“Poverty makes children vulnerable. Adults use money to manipulate situations, and the child ends up paying the price.”

Lack of Accountability Fuels the Cycle

The region’s failure to prosecute offenders sends a clear message: sexual exploitation of minors is tolerated.

The consequences are severe:

• Higher rates of teen pregnancy

• Minors vulnerable to trafficking networks

• Increased school dropouts

• Intergenerational cycles of abuse

• Emotional and psychological trauma

• Loss of trust in authorities

Experts argue that without accountability, predators continue to act with impunity, and victims remain invisible within their own communities.

Calls for Reform Grow Louder

Regional child protection agencies, NGOs, and educators have repeatedly urged governments to:

• Strengthen child-friendly investigative units

• Train police and prosecutors on sensitive handling of minor victims

• Enforce mandatory reporting laws

• Provide safe houses and psychosocial support for victims

• Launch national awareness campaigns addressing cultural norms

• Hold adult perpetrators accountable regardless of family pressure

Several Caribbean nations have drafted or updated legislation, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

A Regional Crisis Demanding Leadership

Underage sexual activity—particularly when involving adults—remains one of the Caribbean’s most urgent but least confronted issues. Without decisive action, the region risks perpetuating a silent epidemic that undermines its youth, erodes public trust, and deepens cycles of exploitation.

As one regional child protection advocate summarized:
“We do not lack laws. We lack enforcement, courage, and the political will to protect our children.”

A Hidden Crisis Behind Paradise

Written by Charlie Spice

The Caribbean is often imagined as a tropical paradise—white sand beaches, luxury resorts, and warm island hospitality. Yet behind this idyllic façade lies one of the region’s most urgent and under-reported human rights crises: sex trafficking. While Caribbean governments speak of economic development, tourism growth, and cultural pride, thousands of vulnerable people—especially women, girls, migrant workers, LGBTQ+ youth, and persons living in poverty—are being exploited in a lucrative underground industry that thrives on silence and demand.

A Regional Problem with Local Variations

Sex trafficking occurs in every Caribbean nation, though the patterns differ from island to island. Victims may be trafficked within their own country, transported across borders, or lured from abroad into forced prostitution, sexual labor, or coercive “adult entertainment” work.

Key contributing factors include:

• High unemployment and poverty, especially among youth.

• Mass tourism, which increases both opportunity and demand for commercial sex.

• Migration flows, including Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad, Guyana, Curaçao, Aruba, and Barbados.

• Weak border controls and limited policing resources.

• Cultural taboos that prevent open conversation about sexuality, child abuse, or exploitation.

• Corruption, which can allow traffickers to operate with impunity.

Victims: Who They Are and How They Are Targeted

Contrary to popular myth, sex trafficking doesn’t always involve kidnapping or dramatic abductions. In the Caribbean, coercion is often subtle, manipulative, or disguised as economic opportunity.

Common Recruitment Tactics

• Promises of legitimate jobs in hotels, bars, restaurants, salons, or private homes.

• Offers to become exotic dancers, entertainers, or hostesses, which later turn into forced prostitution.

• “Boyfriend” recruitment—romantic relationships used to manipulate victims.

• Debt bondage, where traffickers claim repayment for travel, rent, or employment placement.

• Social media recruitment, now one of the region’s biggest vulnerabilities.

Victims may be from:

• Rural communities

• Low-income families

• Dysfunctional or abusive homes

• Migrant populations

• LGBTQ+ youth rejected by families

• Runaways and homeless teenagers

Many are deceived—not physically restrained, but economically and psychologically trapped.

Tourism: A Double-Edged Sword

The Caribbean economy depends heavily on tourism, an industry that inadvertently supports the infrastructure traffickers need: nightlife, guest accommodations, transportation networks, short-term rentals, and transient populations.

While tourism does not cause trafficking, it creates a high-demand environment where commercial sex—both legal and illegal—thrives. Traffickers use hotels, private villas, yachts, bars, “gentlemen’s clubs,” massage parlors, and unregulated Airbnb-style rentals to conduct operations quietly.

The Role of Organized Networks

Sex trafficking in the Caribbean ranges from small, individual pimps operating on the streets to sophisticated, multinational criminal networks. These networks often connect:

• Local recruiters

• Corrupt officials

• Club and bar owners

• Transport facilitators

• Document forgers

• Gangs

In some countries, victims are circulated between islands—moved every few weeks to prevent escape, recognition, or emotional bonding with locals.

Migrant Vulnerability: The Venezuelan Crisis

One of the most significant recent drivers of sex trafficking is the mass migration of Venezuelans fleeing economic collapse. Thousands of Venezuelan women and girls have been trafficked or forced into sex work across:

• Trinidad and Tobago

• Curaçao

• Aruba

• Guyana

• Barbados

Many entered believing they were accepting bar jobs or tourism employment; upon arrival, traffickers seized passports, imposed “debts,” or forced them into exploitative situations.

Children and Adolescents: Silent Victims

Child sex trafficking is one of the most painful aspects of the crisis. Caribbean children are trafficked through:

• Family members who exchange them for money, drugs, or favors

• Nightclubs that employ minors using fake documents

• “Transactional sex” in communities affected by poverty

• Exploitation through social media, especially Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp

Because Caribbean societies often avoid confronting sexual issues, many cases never reach authorities.

Government Response: Progress and Shortcomings

Most Caribbean nations have anti-trafficking legislation, and several have improved prosecution efforts. Yet major obstacles remain:

• Low conviction rates

• Insufficient victim shelters

• Lack of funding for anti-trafficking units

• Limited training for law enforcement

• Stigma that causes victims to hide or avoid reporting

• Cultural norms that normalize sexual exploitation of young people

Regional bodies—CARICOM, the OAS, and international NGOs—have pushed for stronger cooperation, but progress is slow.

The Psychological Toll

Survivors often suffer:

• PTSD

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Substance abuse

• Shame and isolation

• Fear of retaliation

Healing is long-term and requires culturally sensitive, trauma-informed support—something many Caribbean countries lack.

What Needs to Change

To meaningfully address sex trafficking, the Caribbean must:

1. Strengthen victim-protection services, including safe houses and counseling.

2. Expand regional intelligence sharing and cross-border policing.

3. Monitor tourism-linked industries more closely.

4. Educate communities to recognize warning signs and report cases.

5. Address root causes: poverty, gender inequality, lack of opportunity.

6. Protect migrants with clearer humanitarian policies.

7. Crack down on corruption, which enables trafficking networks.

Conclusion: A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

Sex trafficking in the Caribbean is not a distant tragedy—it is happening in hotels, bars, private homes, and streets across the region. It is fueled by silence, shame, poverty, and demand. By acknowledging the problem openly and committing to coordinated regional action, the Caribbean can protect its most vulnerable citizens and prevent traffickers from operating in the shadows of paradise.

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