Caribbean News
Queen’s Baton Relay, arrives April 6 for Country-Wide Tour
#TurksandCaicos, March 21, 2022 – The Countdown to the Queen’s Baton relay is on, we are just 20 days away from the arrival of the Baton to the Turks and Caicos Islands, ahead of the 2022 Birmingham Games set for July 28 – August 8, 2022.
The baton will arrive on April 6 via Inter Island Airways at 11:45 a.m. from Nassau in the Bahamas, before the start of the 2022 Birmingham Games, set for July 28 – August 8, in the United Kingdom. The baton is expected to travel to the Cayman Islands after leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands.
On the 28th July Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth 11 will read the Message to the Athletes that she placed in the baton before setting out on its epic journey of 72 nations and territories, lasting an incredible 294 days, covering 90,000 miles and having 7,500 Baton Bearers trusted with the once- in-a- lifetime opportunity to carry the Baton. Coordinator of the QBR Mrs. Rita Gardiner, OBE, stated last evening on Sports Watch that she is pleased to announced that Turks and Caicos will have approximately 85 – 90 of those Baton Bearers including our sole Olympian and World Champion, Delano Williams who will run with the baton for the very first time and tell his Untold story.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is seen as a symbol of peace and unity, it’s a games tradition that celebrates, connects and
excites communities and people from across the Commonwealth. The QBR is the World’s longest, most inclusive Relay, enabling millions of people from Africa, Asia, Oceania, The Americas, Europe and of course the Caribbean during the build up to the games. During each visit, nations and territories organize events and activities hosted by the country’s Commonwealth Games Association in collaboration with the government, private sector and civic organizations. that will showcase the countries culture, historic sites and breath-taking beaches as well as the hospitality of local people and the uniqueness of each community.
The President of the Commonwealth Games Association, and Executive Members, reveal plans, which include a star-studded welcome for the Queen’s Baton’s arrival by His Excellency, Governor Nigel Dakin, Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Hon. Anya Williams, Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, Ministers of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly. Minister of Sports, Hon. Rachel Taylor, along with their Directors and Heads of Departments, Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Edwin Astwood, Mr. Jarett Forbes Director of Sports and his Team from the Sports Commission, together with a contingent of accomplished Turks and Caicos athletes, members of the media, and well-wishers, for the official hand over at the Providenciales International airport before the motorcade travels to Cheshire Hall for the hosting of the Official Welcome Ceremony.
Turks and Caicos culture will be on display every step of the way, as the Baton will visit North and Middle Caicos on the 7th April returning to Provo for the QBR where all NGB’s will be represented. On April 8, the baton will travel to South Caicos and Salt Cay climaxing in Grand Turk where a huge celebration is planned celebrating the accomplishments of young people.
The Relay will commence at 2:00 p.m. from Carnival Cruise Centre throughout the neighbourhoods of Grand Turk, since it’s International Health Week a stop will be done at the Cockburn Town Hospital for a Photo –op with staff and on to the Geriatric Facility for the Occupants to see the baton and wave their TCI flags.
The relay will conclude with the Official Ceremony at the Parade Grounds where the Commonwealth Games Association is committed to delivering an event with a specific focus on empowering and celebrating young people. We have identified Young Persons as Change Makers with an aspirational story to tell.
The areas for consideration are:
Equality, diversity, and Inclusion
Job creation, well-being and social value
Human Rights
The theme for this segment is “Let’s Take It On.”
This means that the QBR will inspire youths to take on challenges that matter most to them. This is more than a Queen’s Baton Relay; it is a call to action. A call to make a difference.
The CGA is committed as is Birmingham to delivering a QBR with a specific focus on Youth Empowerment and Sustainability.
By: Rita J. Gardiner, OBE
Coordinator, QBR
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.
