Trinidad News: Another warning of the gravity of the food crisis facing the Caribbean has now come from the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.  Pointing to what he referred to as the potentially destabilizing rise in the cost of food Prime Minister Patrick Manning listed high energy prices, increasing demand and lower production as contributing to the problem.  Recently the country's agriculture minister said there was no food crisis in Trinidad and that the government was working to prevent that happening.  Speaking at a local trade and investment convention, Prime Minister Manning called for a partnership between the government and the private sector.  He again cautioned the business community against profiteering and appealed to consumers to exercise greater discipline and discretion than before.  Mr. Manning repeated the government's pledge to modernize Trinidad's agricultural sector including making more land available for farming. 

Antigua: The Antigua and Barbuda government is probing alleged irregularities pertaining to the extension of time for non-nationals living in the country.  The immigration department has temporarily suspended the granting of extra time until the investigation is carried out. This has upset sections of the migrant community and has led to the president of the Antigua/Jamaica Association Andy McDonald speaking out on the issue.   Mr. McDonald said there can be no justification for denying an extension to persons who may have a work permit or persons who hold a temporary work permit and are in the process of having that permit renewed.

Cuba: Cubans have begun exercising their new right to buy personal computers, although the government has not freed up access to the Internet for the communist-ruled country's would-be consumers.  X-Ray technician Mercedes Amen on Friday, May 2nd was literally jumping for joy when she shelled out almost 800 dollars for the Chinese QTECH PC, the only model in state-run shops, at Havana's bustling Carlos III shopping center.   "I am just over the moon, this is something I have always wanted," she said, after snapping up the processor, monitor, keyboard and mouse. "I was really dying for the new rules to take effect, because I had a few pesos saved up," she said, stressing that the machine would help her professionally.  A few pesos, indeed: Cubans make an average monthly salary of about 20 dollars. So the computer would cost most people more than three years' full earnings.  Cuba banned the sale of PCs in 2003 after years of crippling power shortages largely prompted by the collapse of the former Soviet bloc.   Russia used to provide cut-rate oil to run Cuba's power plants, and the end of that relationship sent Cuba into an economic free-fall from which it has yet to recover fully.   But with Venezuelan oil coming in, thanks to Cuba's close ties to its President Hugo Chavez, and power plants upgraded, the shortage has eased. And allowing sales of appliances, from PCs to pressure cookers, to undercut the black market was the first small reform move by President Raul Castro in March.   Raul Castro, 76, in February formally took Cuba's reins from his ailing brother Fidel, 81, who ruled the country for almost five decades. Raul, the longtime military leader, said he would end unpopular "limitations."   Bereft of the some of the historical and charismatic heft of Fidel, many analysts say Raul Castro is under intense pressure to deliver improvements in Cubans standard of living.   He has since unveiled changes including allowing Cubans to take out mobile phone contracts, to stay in tourist hotels and rent cars, treats long reserved for foreigners here.

Dominican Republic: As the hotly contested presidential election in the Dominican Republic, to be held on May 16, continues with marches, demonstrations and fiestas, there are growing concerns that enthusiasm will overflow during the period leading up to the voting day.   Armed Forces minister Ramon Aquino said more than 40,000 soldiers and police will guard and patrol the 12,754 polling stations throughout the country.  The Dominican Armed Forces will be deployed as of Wednesday May 14 and will be moved to the voting areas to be in position to assist the police as required. Their strong presence will be very obvious on voting day.   All candidates and parties have agreed that transparency must be evident in the voting procedures and outside agencies will be monitoring the count. It is estimated that 5.6 million Dominicans are eligible to vote in the May 16 election and it is anticipated that the majority will in fact exercise their right to vote.  Polls continue to indicate that that the current president Leonel Fernandez continues to lead in the popular vote.