Caribbean News
TCI: A Protest to Stop SIPT resulted in a Stop of Traffic; Residents demand an end to the expensive trial
#TurksandCaicos, March 3, 2021 – They say enough is enough and are calling for the UK to stop the ravaging of the Turk sand Caicos public purse after the Director of Public Prosecutions determined the government corruption case and trial, which have dragged on for 12-years to the tune of over $100 million should continue.
“The financial burden and strain placed on our country because of this case that has been going on for over 10 years is funding that could have been injected into major projects, infrastructure, health, funding our police better, giving them better insurance and I mean, all different areas and departments in the country … the unfairness of this case is just too much for us as a people to bear and we have to come together in unity and unify and stand up for something because if we don’t we are going to fall for whatever they feed or shove in our mouths,” said Nikita Skippings, aka Chef Nik, local culinary ambassador.
“And the taste of this is very bitter! We had over a hundred people out there today, strong and it was community people, business people, man and woman who just got tired of just accepting whatever has been thrown at us,” he continued and described the protest as peaceful and serious.
Protestors may have been peaceful in their stance, but it was where they stood which literally created a show-stopping situation in front of the courthouse where the Special Investigation and Prosecution Trial is held. Lined across the street, the individuals bearing placards caused a major traffic was jam which lasted around an hour.
The group shouted its objection to the decision to move forward with the trial, although the “judge and jury” in the matter, Justice Paul Harrison is now deceased.
“We plan to continue on with the protest until we get the results that we need. WE can no longer sit and accept the decisions which are made by these ‘Johnny come Lately” people throw at us. What do they think? They don’t think we have a voice, have a say? This is our country, we are Turks and Caicos Islanders and we should have a say in whatever is passed on to us and today we used our voice in a most positive way and I am very proud of what came from today.”
Some dismissed the protest however; calling the residents an unruly “PNPs” trying to stop Michael Misick, the former and embattled premier of the Turks and Caicos from paying for his alleged crimes of corruption while in office.
“They had a road block, they were blocking the road and stopping the court process. Stopping people from going into the court (house) yard down there and the Police had to come down there; the riot police had to come and stop all of what was going on,” informed a driver caught in the traffic clog.
“I have a message for the UK, who is our overseer and its straight, plain and simple. If you aint helping us, you’re hurting us. Over $100 million dollars could have been injected into this place and could have been used in protecting our borders better from illegal sloops and immigrants entering this country – day and night and night and day. It could gone to our education system and scholarships; healthcare and could have gone to special needs… you need the department and a hundred million dollars could have gone a long way in our country. So the UK needs to let that sink in for a bit,” added Mr. Skippings.
Chef Nik, in response to our question about blocking traffic along the critical section of Leeward Highway that, “I would say there were a lot of stiff legs out there, slow to move.”
In a live stream on Facebook you could hear a female protestor, over the blaring sirens of a police vehicle saying: “…the people are fed up, the people are angry, the people are mad, they’re tired of SIPT! SIPT must go! We had enough! We are not sitting down anymore! Enough is enough!”
High Court judge, Paul Harrison, 85, died on Sunday February 7 in his native Jamaica after a short bout of illness. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had until Monday March 1, 2021 to present a plan for a way forward in the matter to the Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Andrew Mitchell, QC and lead prosecutor made the presentation which included dropping charges against two defendants and proceeding with the trial against the remaining six men, including the ex-premier.
Traffic flow was impacted and by shortly after 1 p.m., Police managed to get it going again. Protestors vow, they will be back.
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
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.
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.
