Colombia – The Caribbean Chronicle

The illusion of buried treasure: The botija myth in Dominican DNA

CaribDomSeptember 2, 2026September 2, 20260

There is something deeply fascinating about our people’s ability to turn financial hardship into a living mythology. If you examine the famous legend of the “botijas” closely—those supposed treasures buried by grandparents in the yard behind the house—you realise that it is nothing more than the Caribbean version of the search for El Dorado. It is a narrative adapted to a country that, for generations, distrusted its governments and the volatility of the local currency more than the very ground beneath its feet…

From the Jungle to Pain: The Hidden Journey of the Coca Leaf

CaribDomAugust 31, 20260

In the Andean highlands, holding a cup of this steaming infusion is simply a harmless remedy for altitude sickness, a tradition used for centuries. But there is an uncomfortable truth hovering over this small cup: from these same leaves…

El Niño and Its Uneven Impact on Latin America

CaribDomAugust 21, 20260

The El Niño phenomenon once again draws the attention of governments, producers, and communities across Latin America whenever its signals begin to emerge in the Pacific. Although it is often described as a single climate event, its effects are actually distributed very unevenly across Latin American territory. In some countries, it causes heavy rains, flooding, and infrastructure damage; in others, it worsens drought, raises temperatures, and reduces agricultural production…

Music That Dances with the African Heart

CaribDomAugust 21, 20260

Rhythms and drums with a soul of their own. Dominican music has an infectious pulse that moves the body almost instinctively. That heartbeat comes from African drums, whose polyrhythmic patterns from West and Central Africa adapted and took root in our…

Why Did Trujillo HATE This Beer? (The Forbidden Story)

CaribDomAugust 21, 20260

In the mid-20th century, the Dominican Republic experienced a peculiar battle—not over territory, but over bottles. For years, the local market depended on imports, especially German beers, which shaped Dominican tastes with fuller, more bitter flavors. Several attempts to produce a national beer failed until, in 1929, Charles H. Wans and his team founded the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND). After several trials—including Colón and Reina—Presidente beer ultimately established itself by combining European techniques with adjustments designed for the local climate and tastes. Several…