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TCI is debriefed on Haiti by British Rep as President Moise prepares for a new round of protests

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#Providenciales, September 27, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Embattled Haitian President Jovenel Moise, according to reports, will on Friday face a new round of protests despite a plea in a national address aimed at extending an olive branch to opponents in both the political and business sectors. 

The Haitian President did not attend the UN General Assembly this week; he instead remained at home and spoke not to the world but to his own people who continue to demand that he demit the presidential palace and his place at the helm of Haiti.

Critics say the President’s words delivered in a National Address mean little with the mounting accusations of corruption, stalled investigations to unearth the truth of those charges and the sluggish pace for processing the political appointment of a new Prime Minister.

It did not help that a Haitian Senator, claiming to be in fear for his life shot with his gun, an AP photographer and palace security officer, according to numerous media reports on the incident.

The images of a senator wielding a gun exposes the enormity of the divide in Haiti and the deteriorating state of the country’s already crumbled political foundation.

Turks and Caicos Islands Government leaders one week ago – Wednesday September 18 – heard about the state of affairs on the ground in Haiti from the British Charge d’Affaires based in Port Au Prince, where schools and businesses remain closed due to the chaos.

The reveal of that debrief came in this week’s report on the recent National Security Council (NSC) meeting, which was co-chaired by the Governor Nigel Dakin and Premier Sharlene Robinson.

“Updated by the British Charge d’Affaires based in Haiti on the current situation in Haiti, in particular the security and economic situation; domestic and international partner activity and public messaging to stem illegal migration.”

The status of Haiti was also considered from the perspective of the United States. 

The NSC report informed: “Updated by the US Coast Guard based in Bahamas on their work in the region to tackle illicit activity including illegal immigration and human trafficking from Haiti. Current and potential areas of further collaboration with TCI agencies.”

It is the first time the National Security Council, which was established in 2015, has documented such a strong focus on the inner workings of nearby Haiti.

The report informed of an update from the UK Defence Attaché for the Caribbean and Overseas Territories; the representative leading on TCI issues in the UK Foreign Office and an update from Immigration Minister Delroy Williams on sloop arrivals from Haiti and abuses of immigration laws.

The National Security Council is looking into what support the UK can offer on the coming National Security Strategy of the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Governor Dakin and Premier Robinson both promised the document was well in the making and soon to be unveiled.

FILE PHOTO – National Security Meeting

At the meeting, which was also attended by the Deputy Governor, the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police there was a report by the Prison Superintendent, Grahame Hawkins about the facility’s “operational needs of the prison and mitigation of related challenges.”

Most notable from the meeting summary shared with TCI media and public is that the first draft of the National Security Strategy was presented by the Governor and Premier to the National Security Council.  

“…which aims to ensure the country is more resilient to natural disasters and strengthens its ability to tackle illegal migration including human trafficking and over-stayers.”

Next stop for the National Security Strategy is consultation with the Joint Law Enforcement Team (JLET), the Leader of the Opposition, Stakeholders, the Cabinet and the National Security Advisory Group.

#magneticmedianews

#tcidebriefedonhaiti

#moisegetsreadyformoreprotest

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

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Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

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