#TurksandCaicosIslands – January 13, 2021 – When Christopher Forbes recently took a Covid-19 PCR test, he likely thought the negative result gave him the all clear as being among those sickened by a coronavirus outbreak at the prison facility in Grand Turk. Turns out it was also his all clear to be carted off in a carefully planned and flawlessly executed transfer not to another site in the tropical Caribbean, but to an impenetrable, maximum security facility for a man of his heinous criminal nature in the United Kingdom.
In a media
statement the Governor, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Prison
Superintendent opened up, ever so slightly about the shocking removal of infamous
Forbes, who is a Turks and Caicos Islander but originally from Grand Bahama
Island in The Bahamas.
“Today,
Christopher Forbes a prisoner in HMP Grand Turk is being transferred to a
prison in the UK. This is where he will serve the remainder of his
sentence. He is being escorted by members of the Her Majesty Prison and
Probation Service. On arrival, he will reside in a category A prison in
England,” said David Bowden, Prison Superintendent.
PrisonPhone website published: There are eight category A
prisons in the UK. The facilities are
high security prisons where the most dangerous and difficult to manage
prisoners are kept. These
prisons hold some of the most notorious criminals in the UK, many of whom are
serving life sentences. These prisons are designed to make escape impossible for the
prisoners, and are commonly described as ‘high security’ or ‘maximum security’
establishments.
It is the second
transfer of high maintenance inmates in recent months for the Turks and Caicos
prison system under the new superintendent.
Residents seem relieved at the steady and sturdy push toward prison reform.
The Governor,
His Excellency Nigel Dakin, stated, “the stability of Her Majesty’s Prison
is a critical piece in our strategy towards safeguarding national security and
we will continue to exercise all avenues available to us in order to accomplish
our national goals and secure our institutions and our communities. I am
grateful to the UK Government for their support in this matter.”
Forbes, who is
easily the worst felon in Turks and Caicos history was convicted of the brutal
double homicides in 2016 of Yuneiry Veras in April and Sorineida Moreno Arias
in July. Both women from the Dominican Republic were 26-years old when they met
their deaths. Both were sexually
assaulted, beaten and brutalized and left partially clothed in remote areas of
northwest Providenciales.
Search parties
mobilised by the Dominican community found both victims. The deaths incited protests which vociferously
demanded an arrest by TCI Police. The
activism worked and in August 2016 Forbes was arrested. Found, living in plain
sight at his girlfriend’s house in the residential community of Millennium
Heights.
It was
overwhelming DNA evidence which was the undoing of this cold-blooded, sloppy
killer. Christopher Forbes’ DNA was
found under the finger nails, on clothing, a towel and in a condom left at the
crime scene. Due to the struggle for her
life, genetic material of the killer was detected in the jewelry his last
victim – Sorineida – a mother of two young children; the jury heard how she had
peeled away Forbes’ skin which was found in her rings.
Additionally,
CCTV cameras captured Forbes’ vehicle picking up a victim in Five Cays. Phone
records revealed Forbes was in contact with both women on the nights they went
missing and were murdered and a boast, scribbled in the passport of the first
victim – Yuneiry Veras – and found in the area of Sweet T’s restaurant was the final
piece of the puzzle; police moved in and made the arrest.
In prison,
Christopher Forbes was a menace and disturbingly, a jailhouse rock star.
A string of prison
violations for abuses against prison superintendents and deputy superintendents
led to at least two convictions. Forbes
regularly made appearances on Facebook live, had his own stash of expensive
liquors like Hennessy, a big screen television, gold jewelry, expensive
sunglasses and appeared to be having a ball as a ‘baller’, high on marijuana
while living a glamourous life in TCI prison and on the public’s dime.
Meanwhile the
families and friends of Sorienda and Yuniery remain traumatized by the vicious
killings, which were unprovoked and described by a juror as serial killings by
a dangerous man who should spend the rest of his living years behind bars.
In 2020, an
historic ruling by Justice Tanya Lobban-Jackson achieved that feat; Christopher
Forbes received a double life sentence without any chance for parole. Now around 38-years old, Christopher Forbes will
have to settle into one of eight category A prisons in the United Kingdom.
“I am most
grateful to the transfer team from the UK. I have also been very
impressed by the inter-governmental departments, working very closely with the
MoHA, to make this transfer as efficient as it was,” added Superintendent
Bowden, who categorised Forbes as a high risk inmate who posed a great risk to
the development of HMP Prison as a safe, secure and rehabilitative institution.
The transfer of the prisoner was approved by UK Ministers, as
permissible under UK legislation, and supported by the Governor and Premier of
the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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Turks and Caicos Islands – March 10, 2026 – Commercial flights between Grand Turk and South Caicos have been temporarily discontinued, leaving residents without a direct air link between the two islands since March 1.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government confirmed the suspension in a statement Tuesday, explaining that the route — which operates under a government subsidy — is currently under review as officials reassess the tender process used to award the service.
The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade said the government is “working diligently to assess available options” to restore reliable air service between the islands as quickly as possible.
While the statement did not identify which airline had been operating the route, historically Caicos Express Airways and interCaribbean Airways have provided flights between South Caicos and Grand Turk using small twin-engine aircraft.
Officials acknowledged the disruption has caused concern among residents, noting that inter-island air travel is critical for access to essential services, business activity and government operations.
The government emphasized that the suspension does not affect flights between Grand Turk and Salt Cay, which continue to operate normally.
The review now underway will determine the next provider for the subsidized route. Authorities say the process must be conducted in a “fair, transparent and efficient manner” before service can resume.
For residents of the two islands, however, the immediate issue remains transportation — with many now forced to reroute through Providenciales or rely on limited sea travel until the air connection is restored.
Further updates are expected once the government completes its review and awards a new operating arrangement.
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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — A major new chapter in Caribbean tourism has begun in the Turks and Caicos Islands with the opening of Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos, a $150 million expansion expected to drive increased bookings, air arrivals and tourism earnings for the country.
The new oceanfront development, officially opened on February 28, adds 101 luxury multi-bedroom suites to the resort and introduces new dining, entertainment and family experiences designed to strengthen the destination’s position in the global luxury family vacation market.
Tourism officials and resort executives say the expansion is expected to generate greater demand for the destination, which in turn translates to more flights, more visitor spending and increased government revenue from hotel and tourism taxes.
The development is part of an ongoing investment strategy by Sandals Resorts International, which continues to expand the Beaches brand across the Caribbean.
Executive Chairman Adam Stewart described the opening as a powerful signal of confidence in the Turks and Caicos tourism product.
“This moment reflects a partnership between Sandals and the Turks and Caicos Islands that has been built over decades,” Stewart said during the opening celebrations. The new village, he added, builds on the brand’s reputation for creating multi-generational travel experiences where families reconnect and spend meaningful time together.
The resort expansion reinforces Beaches’ reputation as the world’s leading luxury all-inclusive resort brand for families, and Beaches Turks and Caicos continues to stand as one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious properties.
Government officials attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Tourism Minister Zhavargo Jolly, said the investment strengthens the destination’s international standing and highlights continued confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier tourism market.
The new village significantly expands the resort’s accommodation offerings with spacious ocean-view suites and high-end villas designed to host larger families and groups. The property now includes luxury options such as the CrystalSky four-bedroom beachfront villas and a multi-level Chairman’s Penthouse suite capable of accommodating up to ten guests.
Treasure Beach Village also introduces six new dining concepts, including the Pinta Food Hall with multiple global cuisine stations and Butch’s Island Chop House, a signature steakhouse previously exclusive to the Sandals brand.
Additional amenities include a 15,000-square-foot lagoon pool, waterslides and splash zones for children, a swim-up bar, and the brand’s first Starfish Cinema, a theatre designed for family movie nights.
Guests staying in the new village will also have access to the full Beaches Turks and Caicos experience, including 28 restaurants, the 45,000-square-foot Pirates Island Water Park, unlimited water sports and supervised children’s programmes.
Industry observers say the investment not only enhances the visitor experience but also strengthens Turks and Caicos’ reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after luxury destinations.
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 6 March 2026: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Today, as we observe National Teachers’ Day, we pause to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of our teachers and the dedicated leaders of our schools. Your commitment to shaping young minds, guiding character, and nurturing potential is a calling that reaches far beyond the classroom. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Your daily efforts reflect the truth and wisdom of these words.
We also extend sincere appreciation to the leaders of our schools whose vision, guidance, and steady leadership create environments where both teachers and students can flourish. Your role in supporting educators and maintaining strong, positive learning communities is invaluable to the continued progress of our education system.
Teaching is not without its challenges. Yet, even in moments of stress and difficulty, our teachers continue to demonstrate genuine love, patience, and concern for their students. For this, we are deeply grateful. Your compassion, encouragement, and dedication help our children feel seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential. Truly, to teach is indeed to touch lives forever.
Education is strongest when it is supported by partnership. We must also recognize the important role of parents and families in the success of our children. When schools and homes work together, the results are powerful. As we often say, when parents lead, children succeed. This shared commitment creates a strong foundation for learning and growth.
As a Department and Ministry of Education, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting our teachers and school leaders. We will continue to invest in meaningful professional development, provide the resources necessary for effective teaching and learning, and strengthen the systems that empower educators to thrive in their profession. Your work matters deeply, and we remain dedicated to ensuring you have the support needed to continue making a lasting difference.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, your leadership, and for the love and care you show to our children each and every day. Today we celebrate you and the incredible impact you have on our nation’s future.