TCI News
Deputy Premier home broken into, other TCI Border Control officials face security threats
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – Wednesday July 18, 2018 – Border Control leaders of the Turks and Caicos were directly targeted in several acts of vandalism, violence and home invasion last fiscal year, yet there remains no extra security assigned to these high risk roles.
JULY 25, 2108 at COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP CENTER CHURCH, Leeward Hwy
During the Budget contribution of the Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon Sean Astwood, it was explained that the men and women who led and continue to lead the crackdown on illegal immigration suffered varying levels of criminal attacks.
“Mr. Speaker, we have officers that were physically harmed, my PS’s car was vandalized and Mr. Speaker, my home broken into, but not once did we give up or did we let this country down. Mr. Speaker, some of those persons are here with us this morning and I will ask those from my Ministry in the gallery to stand and be recognized. Please allow me Mr. Speaker, to use this platform to publicly say thank you all, for believing in my vision and leadership and for the hard work you have put in, day and night. I say Thank You!”
It was more of a thank you message from the Border Control and Employment Minister, however, the dangerous revelation is now cause for pause.
Magnetic Media contacted the Deputy Premier today, he explained to us that he is also concerned by the lack of security and said while there has been no formal request for more personal security, the matter was raised, by him, at the National Security Council on two separate occasions.
“Of coarse I think security is necessary. Given the policies that my team and I are carrying forward as it relates to illegal immigration, it is necessary as the measures have created a high risk to our personal security,” said Minister Astwood via phone.
The last time the United Kingdom was faced with potential danger to law agents in the Turks and Caicos, there was immediate action and national spending approval. It was expressed to media, at the time, that there were very real threats to the attorneys and others who make up the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team, which is responsible for the ongoing corruption trial against the former Mike Misick administration.
The monies were added to public spending despite a firm rejection at the Cabinet level by the then Rufus Ewing led-PNP Administration. It caused a firestorm of controversy within the Territory, as locally elected officials were over ruled by the UK-appointed Chief Financial Officer. The multi-million dollar extra spending on SIPT security was never allowed to go to the House of Assembly for debate.
A Magnetic Media report on the controversial matter in August 2016 said this:
“Last year the UK forced the nation to pay a $2.2 million bill after the PNP Administration rejected the extra security costs, needed said SIPT due to death threats. The UK Chief Financial Officer pulled rank and bypassed locally elected Government to get approval to authorize the money through the FCO in London. The original request was for a staggering, $4.3 million under the TCI Police.”
In the most recent draft Budget booklet for the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is itemized on page 158, 159 that the SIPT is actually still being supported in boosted security by millions; $3.8 million in spending on security and operational is budgeted this upcoming financial year. For last financial year, the actual is placed at over $3.25 million.
The public purse, through the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police pays that enormous bill.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment, Sean Astwood confirmed that only the Premier and Governor are designated security detail. Both he and the Deputy Governor – who is also often the face of enforcement in the TCI – are without personal security despite the nature of their jobs.
Magnetic Media has asked the Governor for comment.
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
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