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.
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
September 28, 2026 – Wall Street initially flinched at the $3-billion handshake. But in a matter of days, it was smoother sailing.
Perhaps the bigger Caribbean business story is not what Sandals Resorts International is getting from the deal. It is who is writing the
cheque — and what that says about what Gordon “Butch” Stewart built.
As reports of Royal Caribbean Group’s Sandals deal circulated Tuesday, RCL shares plunged 6.14 percent from Monday’s $250.25 close to $234.89, on sharply elevated trading.
When the agreement became official Wednesday — approximately $3 billion for a 50 percent equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts — shares slipped another 1.95 percent to $230.30 and touched $222.22 intraday. Investors were digesting both the size of the investment and committed debt financing secured through Morgan Stanley.
But by Thursday, RCL rebounded 3.77 percent, with shares continuing their recovery Friday to finish the week around $243. Analysts were also looking ahead: JPMorgan reportedly raised its RCL price target from $345 to $394, while Citi placed the company on a 90-day positive catalyst watch.
And just who is RCL?
Royal Caribbean Group is a global vacation giant, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange with a market value of roughly $65 billion. Its portfolio includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, alongside private destinations and an
expanding vacation platform.
So when a company of that scale commits $3 billion for only half of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, the transaction puts a striking financial marker on one of the Caribbean’s greatest home-grown hospitality success stories.
The deal, expected to close in early 2027, creates a 50-50 partnership with the Stewart family and takes Royal Caribbean deeper into the all-inclusive resort business.
Butch Stewart started Sandals in Jamaica in 1981 believing a Caribbean company could compete with the world’s best.
Forty-five years later, one of the world’s biggest vacation companies is prepared to pay $3 billion just to own half of what he built.
Now that’s the handshake that does more than seal a deal — it cements a legacy.
Caribbean News
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce Landmark Partnership to Accelerate Their Leading Vacation Experiences
Royal Caribbean Group Investment to Advance Sandals and Beaches’ Growth and Broaden the Group’s Vacation Portfolio
Montego Bay, Jamaica and Miami, September 24, 2026 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Sandals Resorts today announced the signing of an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space with a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform.
The partnership brings together two of the travel industry’s most celebrated vacation companies, pairing Sandals and Beaches’ all-inclusive resort expertise with Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform, including industry-leading brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea – a portfolio of private destinations, new river cruising offering, and an industry-first loyalty program. United in a shared history in the Caribbean and connected by a love for their communities, the companies will offer travelers an unparalleled collection of cruise, private destination and resort experiences, serving guests across more vacation occasions and establishing their undisputed leadership in Caribbean vacations.
The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into an adjacent vacation category, growing its participation in the approximately $2 trillion global vacation market, and meets the growing global demand for Sandals and Beaches Resorts by accelerating their expansion. The partnership will include Sandals and Beaches’ collection of premier all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean, and the companies will explore opportunities to broaden distribution, deepen guest engagement, and make it easier for travelers to discover vacation experiences offered across both portfolios.
“For nearly 60 years, we’ve reimagined what a vacation can be, constantly expanding the ways we inspire our guests to explore, connect and create lifelong memories,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We have been building a vacation platform that brings joy to millions of people around the world and creates meaningful relationships that last with our guests. Our partnership with
Sandals and Beaches Resorts is an important next step on that journey – bringing together two iconic leading vacation companies to further strengthen and grow one of the most admired resort portfolios in the world. The Stewart family has created powerful and beloved brands, and we are honored to build on that legacy. Together, we see tremendous opportunity to expand the reach of Sandals and Beaches Resorts and continue turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality. Today is proof of how far that vision can go,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “This partnership is the natural next step in building on that conviction. It gives us the ability to grow faster with a partner that shares our values of exceptional hospitality, long-term investment, and the power of enduring brands. Together, we will introduce more guests to Sandals and Beaches Resorts while creating even more extraordinary experiences for those who have made our resorts part of their lives for decades.” Stewart added, “As we continue to grow, we will remain true to what has always defined us: delivering authentic vacations that exceed expectations while creating opportunities for our team members, travel advisor partners and the communities we call home. The future has never been brighter, and I know this moment would make my father incredibly proud.”
The joint venture will be governed by a board under the shared leadership of Stewart and Liberty. Stewart will maintain a leadership role in
guiding the company’s long-term strategic growth as Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual, with the partnership bringing additional resources to support future opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Royal Caribbean Group will acquire a 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, representing a forward EBITDA multiple of approximately 10x. Royal Caribbean Group has secured committed debt financing from Morgan Stanley to fund the investment. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and is expected to be accretive to earnings next year.
BofA Securities and PJT Partners acted as financial advisors, and Latham & Watkins and Jones Day acted as legal advisors to the Sandals Group. Perella Weinberg Partners and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Royal Caribbean Group.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, mark the signing of an agreement to form a landmark partnership that expands Royal Caribbean Group into the all-inclusive resort space and supports the future growth of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The signing took place at Royal Caribbean Group’s new headquarters in Miami, with the city’s skyline in the background.
The Caribbean tourism deal first reported as a possibility on Tuesday is now a signed agreement. Royal Caribbean Group plans to pay
approximately US$3 billion for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, putting the value of the business at about US$6 billion. The purchase is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals.
Founded in Jamaica by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981, the resort business has a presence across nine Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Sandals has described its workforce as nearly 20,000 people, most of them Caribbean nationals.
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality,” said Adam Stewart in the announcement carried by PR Newswire. He will remain executive chairman, while the Stewart family retains a stake. The companies say existing reservations and resort operations will continue as usual.
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