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Open letter to Governor Dakin’s speech to the HOA
Dear Governor Dakin,
A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting you in person on a more positive note. This time, I felt compelled to address you in an open letter relative to the passionate speech you delivered during your opening address to the House of Assembly.
I would also like to commend you on your accomplishments over the years. In the short span of time in your position as head of state, you have made a significant contribution to the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly with spearheading the establishment of the TCI Regiment which is crucial to any developing country.
However, as a concerned citizen and I do believe echoing the voices of many, I felt obliged to provide a response to a few of the comments you made. With all due respect, there are also some questions that the country needs further clarification on and answers too.
First and foremost, as you pointed out, there are too many external factors that play into the hands of this escalating crime which are entirely out of your control. 
To some degree that is correct, but I beg to differ on a few points especially when it comes to accountability. When crime is at a new dimension, it’s certainly a rite-of-passage test of any leader and their ability to make decisive decisions. At the end of the day, the buck stops with you, the Premier and those who are entrusted with our safety and security.
With that being said, criticism will come and as concerned citizens, we should not be complicit in any kind of silence and I refuse too.
Way too many precious lives are being loss to gun violence. Regardless of who they are, be it gang members or innocent civilians at the right place at the wrong time it is stoking fear across our communities.
As a people, we must not be afraid to demand change from our elected leaders, appointed Governor or Police Commissioner and rightfully so. Both you and the Commissioner have sworn to provide the highest quality of leadership and the necessary resources to protect our nation from harm and we should expect nothing short of that.
Secondly, although crime fighting is a collective effort and there is no silver bullet to its resolution, in my professional opinion, we failed to nip this in bud when we were in a better position to do so.
Sadly on many fronts, from the initial onset of this unrelenting violence, our leaders continued to be reactive rather than being proactive.
Whilst some initial progress was made to arrest serious crimes under the leadership of the Commissioner and his team, it’s not near the levels it should be based on the population of our size. I honestly believe he has given it his all and does care about the escalating crimes and the future of his department.
Nevertheless, as an avid supporter of law enforcement and will always be, I do have some reservations on how the force is currently being managed and some of the missed opportunities.
At some point, as the Governor, you will have to decide if it’s in the best interest of the country to raise the leadership bar or just keep playing defense.
The Commissioner’s performance is certainly on display, and he will have to decipher whether or not he has reached his capacity level in this particular position. It is my belief, every individual regardless of how good you are in your position has a capacity and is dispensable.
For the sake of argument, perhaps he wasn’t challenged enough or given the necessary tools he needed within a reasonable timeframe to do his job effectively.
From my observation, what I have seen over the years is too often when there is a spike in violent crimes, we put a band-aid on it. It appears, we rush to bring in more senior level police personnel from the UK to assess the situation with the hopes of finding short term solutions.
In essence, isn’t this is what we are paying the Police Commissioner to do? Its leaders who are supposed to set the stage for success. Of course, ultimately, it’s the field officers who will win the battle against these violent crimes, but they will need to be properly trained and provided the necessary tools to do their jobs.
Where is the accountability of leadership at top level? Sometimes when your boxed in, it’s hard to think outside of that box. Unfortunately, many citizens have lost confidence in the Commissioner’s ability to stabilize crime. Once this occurs, it’s harder to get cooperation between the general public and the police.
You also mentioned the successful efforts that were made to reenergize TCI’s relationship with the US and Bahamian Coast Guard. This was done to support intelligence collection on migrant vessels. It’s a good thing, but can you honestly say we have gone far enough?
It’s been over 5 years now, and the citizens of Grand Turk have yet to see a permanent marine vessel station on its shores. This is despite having wide open borders and several deserted cays where criminals can stash their illegal weapons and drugs.
Great Sand Cay which is in closer proximity to Salt Cay then Providenciales, a number of illegal vessels have been spotted either scouring our fishing banks or running aground without any knowledge of law enforcement. Thanks to
concerned citizens who have assisted with responding to the calls. It certainly underscores the need for a stronger security posture in that area.
Furthermore, to my knowledge the Port Authority in Grand Turk, still does not have a dedicated and properly trained Harbor Master. This has allowed a number of private yacht captains and crew to come ashore with God only knows what, before requesting to see Customs Agents.
Are we as a country that naive to believe illegal trafficking of any kind is only limited to speed boats from Jamaica and illegal Haitian vessels?
What’s even more troubling is the fact that these criminals are indiscriminately targeting businesses and have no regards when it comes to inflicting harm on our dedicated law enforcement officers. We have seen this with recent incidents.
With many of our law enforcement officers battling this new frontier and, in some cases, outgunned by these criminals. What plans are in place for compensation of their families God forbid an officer succumb to a permanent injury or death?
I can go on and on, but by no means is this an opportunity to bash you or the Police Commissioner. It’s just my observation and maybe it could be a wakeup call for a change of strategies with more focus on the low hanging fruits.
Sometimes, we take big and bold steps and simply overlook the small ones which could have made a big difference.
We realize for safety and security reasons, certain strategies will remain off limit to public knowledge to protect law enforcement personnel, but where is the imminent plan of action?
Where is the 10, 30, 60 days and beyond plan of action to restore order? If we fail to provide stability, it will have profound implications on our fragile tourism driven economy.
In order to provide that sense of security for residents in those affected communities, police tactics like roadblocks, lockdowns, random search and seizure etc. is of paramount.
We the people, should expect to see some serious debates in the HOA, as TCI is currently faced with some enormous challenges and big decisions to make. In the end, although the situation is precarious, I’m confident we will prevail and together shape a better future.
Sincerely,
Ed Forbes
Concerned citizen of Grand Turk
September 12, 2025
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to a wealth of creativity, from artisans and craft vendors to musicians and performers. Beaches Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive family resort, has pledged its continued support for these individuals by providing meaningful platforms for them to share their skills and stories with guests from around the world.
The resort’s commitment is most evident in its weekly Cultural Night showcase, where visitors are immersed in the vibrant traditions of the islands. Guests enjoy live performances which feature local music genres such as ripsaw, while artisans display and sell handmade creations. This event not only enriches the guest experience but also strengthens economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Entertainment Division Manager Garett Bailey emphasized the significance of Cultural Night, “we want to showcase everything the Turks and Caicos Islands culture has to offer. Our goal is for guests to leave with a deeper appreciation of the island’s art, music and traditions, while giving local talent the opportunity to share their creativity with visitors from across the globe.”
Beyond Cultural Night, Beaches Turks and Caicos also welcomes local craft vendors onto the resort every Wednesday and Friday
where they are offered a direct space to market their goods. Guests have easy access to the Turks and Caicos Cultural Marketplace, where they can purchase authentic local arts and crafts.
Managing Director, James McAnally, highlighted how these initiatives reflect the resort’s broader mission, “we are committed to celebrating and sharing the vibrant culture of these islands with our guests. By showcasing local artistry and music, we not only provide entertainment but also help sustain and grow the creative industries of the Turks and Caicos Islands. From our cultural showcases to nightly live music, we are proud to create authentic connections between our guests and the people of these islands.”
Local musician Keon Hall, who frequently performs at the resort, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership, “being able to share my music with Beaches’ guests has created lasting relationships. Some visitors return year after year and request songs from previous performances. This partnership continues to celebrate what we do and strengthens the bond between local artists and the resort.”
The resort’s support of local artisans and entertainers extends beyond business opportunity; it is about preserving heritage and sharing stories. Guests take home more than souvenirs; they leave with experiences that deepen their understanding of Turks and Caicos’ culture and history.
Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan, noted the importance of this commitment, “for many visitors, these interactions represent their first genuine connection to the Turks and Caicos Islands. From artisans and musicians to farmers and transport operators, our local talent helps shape every guest experience. At Beaches, we are proud to give them the stage to share their stories and their heritage.”
Beaches Turks & Caicos remains dedicated to developing cultural connections and supporting the artisans, musicians and entrepreneurs whose creativity makes the Turks and Caicos Islands unique. Each guest experience is an opportunity to celebrate and sustain the spirit of the islands.
Caribbean News
“Barbecue” is Cooked! US Turns Over 11 Million Haitians into Potential Informants with $5 Million Bounty
August 12, 2025
The United States just set fire to the underworld in Haiti — and this time, the smoke might finally flush out the man many call the most feared in the Caribbean.
On Tuesday, the U.S. government slapped a $5 million bounty on the head of Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the ex-police officer
turned gang boss accused of orchestrating massacres, torching neighborhoods, and strangling Haiti’s capital into chaos. This isn’t just a headline — it’s a full-blown game-changer.
That kind of cash — offered under the State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program — is enough to turn the country’s entire population, more than 11 million people, into potential informants overnight. Add the millions in the Haitian diaspora, and Chérizier isn’t just wanted. He’s surrounded.
The Number That Changes Everything
Five million U.S. dollars today equals about 655 million Haitian Gourdes. In a country where many scrape by on less than $5 a day, that’s not just life-changing — it’s life-defining. It’s enough to rebuild homes, put generations through school, or buy a one-way ticket far from the gunfire.
In a place where trust is scarce and survival is everything, that figure is more than tempting — it’s irresistible. For Chérizier, it means every friend could be a future informant, and every loyalist might be calculating the cost of staying loyal.
‘We Will Find Them’ — Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney
Jeanine “Judge Jeanine” Pirro, the U.S. Attorney, set the tone with fire in her voice. “This indictment is the first of its kind,” she announced. “Jimmy Chérizier, also known as ‘Barbecue,’ is a notorious gang leader from Haiti who has orchestrated and committed various acts of violence against Haitians, including the 2018 La Saline attack in which approximately 71 people were killed. He both planned and participated in that massacre.
“Anyone who is giving money to ‘Barbecue’ cannot say, ‘I didn’t know.’ They will be prosecuted, and we will find them. They are supporting an individual who is committing human rights abuses, and we will not look the other way.”
Pirro wasn’t just going after Chérizier. She was sending a warning to the Haitian diaspora accused of feeding his war chest from abroad: the days of claiming ignorance are over.
‘No Safe Haven’ — Darren Cox, FBI
Then came Darren Cox, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, delivering the muscle of America’s most powerful investigative force. “There is no safe haven for Chérizier and his network,” Cox declared. “We are closing every link, every cell.” Since January, he said, the FBI has arrested three Top Ten fugitives, taken more than 19,000 criminals off the streets, and seized thousands of tons of narcotics — enough to save millions of lives across the U.S.
The FBI’s Miami and Houston offices have already bagged one of Chérizier’s Viv Ansanm associates inside the United States without firing a shot. “These efforts are a deliberate and coordinated plan,” Cox said, “to protect our communities and confront escalating threats from terrorist organizations like Viv Ansanm.”
‘Three-Year Investigation’ — Ivan Arvelo, HSI
Ivan Arvelo, Assistant Director of Homeland Security Investigations, brought the receipts. “This is the result of a three-year investigation into Chérizier’s procurement networks, cash pipelines, and operational financing that violates sanctions,” he explained. Arvelo described 400 structures destroyed, entire communities erased, and a gang exploiting U.S. dollars, technology, and immigration loopholes to keep its killing machine running. “We tracked how Americans unwittingly bankrolled brutality,” he said — proof that the net is tightening both inside Haiti and abroad.
‘The Worst of the Worst’ — Chris Lambert, State Department
Chris Lambert, representing the State Department’s International Affairs division, gave the political bottom line.
“Mass violence in Haiti must end,” Lambert said. “The instability resulting from Chérizier’s actions fuels illegal migration, regional
instability, and transnational crime. We will continue to apply every tool available — including our rewards programs — to stop the spread of unchecked violence, especially to target the worst of the worst criminal leaders threatening the people of our hemisphere.”
Lambert confirmed what many have long known: Chérizier is not just a gang leader. He commands Viv Ansanm, officially designated in May as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In the eyes of the U.S., that makes him not just Haiti’s problem — but everyone’s.
Why Haitians May Not Resist
In Haiti, money talks — loudly. And when you put 655 million Gourdes on the table, it shouts.
That’s the kind of figure that turns casual acquaintances into informants and makes even the most hardened loyalist wonder if the payout is worth more than the risk. It’s not a matter of “if” word gets out, it’s a matter of “who will be first to collect.”
For grieving families, it’s a chance at justice. For the desperate, it’s a chance at survival. For Haiti as a whole, it’s hope — wrapped in the most dangerous of temptations.
An Answer to Prayers
For years, Haiti’s headlines have been a scroll of horrors — kidnappings, executions, burned neighborhoods, bodies in the streets. Chérizier’s name has been attached to too many of them.
This move by the U.S. isn’t just strategy. It’s personal. It’s a signal to every Haitian — at home or abroad — that the days of impunity could be ending.
I’ll admit it: when I heard the news, I danced, I sang, and I nearly cried. Not because $5 million is a lot of money, but because of what it means — the possibility, at last, of stopping the man accused of helping turn Haiti into hell on earth.
Four officials, four angles, one mission: Pirro’s fire, Cox’s grit, Arvelo’s precision, Lambert’s conviction. Together, they’ve put the heat on “Barbecue” like never before.
BBQ is cooked. The only question now is: which one of over 11 million potential informants will serve him up?
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
What would happen if the Caribbean started spending more with Africa?
That question is no longer hypothetical. It’s the vision behind a growing movement that sees the Caribbean not just as a neighbor of the Americas, but as a key partner in the rise of a “Global Africa.” With shared history, deep cultural ties, and emerging trade frameworks, experts say the potential is enormous—if the will to act finally matches the passion of the speeches.
Billions on the Table
Today, trade between Africa and the Caribbean sits at just over US $729 million annually. But the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Afreximbank project that number could balloon to US $1.8 billion per year by 2028—more than doubling in just a few years.
This boost is expected to come not just from commodities, but increasingly from services, particularly in transport, travel, food exports, and creative industries. Two-thirds of that growth, according to analysts, could come from services alone—sectors where the Caribbean is eager to expand. (afreximbank.com).
Meanwhile, Africa’s consumer and business spending is forecasted to skyrocket to US $6.66 trillion by 2030, driven by a population boom and rising middle class.
The Case for a New Trade Axis
The Caribbean imports 80% of its food, but many of those goods can be sourced from African markets. What we offer in return? World-class logistics, tourism know-how, financial services, and proximity to the U.S. market. It’s a natural fit—one that is currently underdeveloped.
The recent call by Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell for a “Global Africa Commission” underscores this urgency. He
urged stakeholders at the Afreximbank Trade Expo to stop the cycle of empty talk and get to work: building shipping routes, finalizing trade agreements, and boosting knowledge of what each region actually has to offer.
“We will not leave here with another communiqué,” Mitchell continued. “We will leave here with a commitment to act, to build together, to trade together, to succeed together and rise together.” The statement underscored a central theme of the summit — that both Africa and the Caribbean can no longer afford to admire the idea of unity; they must operationalize it.Pilot platforms like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) are already simplifying how cross-border payments work between African countries—and could extend to Caribbean partners. The system removes the need for U.S. dollars in trade between African nations, creating space for sovereign empowerment.
What’s the Hold-Up?
Let’s be blunt: political will, slow bureaucracies, and lack of coordination are stalling real action. Despite a decade of “Africa–Caribbean unity” talk, less than 3% of CARICOM trade currently involves the African continent. That fact continues to undermine these brave speeches and ambitious notions.
Where Caribbean Consumers Fit In
Caribbean consumers—especially the younger, tech-savvy generation—are already looking for affordable, ethical, and culturally relevant goods. African markets offer exactly that. Redirecting even a fraction of spending toward African-made clothing, beauty products, tech tools, or agro-processed foods could start a real trade revolution.
Bottom Line
If the political leaders won’t build the bridge fast enough, maybe Caribbean consumers will. The money is there. The interest is rising. Now it’s time to turn the “Global Africa” vision into a real economic shift—one shopping cart at a time.
