News
This PNP Administration Has Run This Country Into The Ground!
From: Hon. Edwin A. Astwood
#TurksandCaicos, November 3, 2022 – What we are seeing is what Political scientists refer to as a “Failed State”, which is when a political party has disintegrated to a point where the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government no longer function properly and has lost all effectiveness.
There is no mystery as to why it is happening- this PNP Administration FAILED conclusively. No group in Turks & Caicos history has done a worse job of running this country than the PNP Class currently in charge. They are vindictive, they are intolerant, they lack compassion, but above all they are incompetent.
In less than two years, which all can see, they have run this country into the ground. This PNP Government has destroyed the Turks and Caicos images; Criminal Gangs running amuck; the country has been Blacklisted; illegal Immigration is out of control; school systems are out of control; no new projects happening, locally owned businesses going under; locals are being passed over for job after job; illegal development at an all-time high; unemployment at its all-time high; cost of living at its all-time high; inflation at its all-time high; mortgage rates at its all-time high; house prices at an all-time high; and now we have an internal supply chain nightmare at the South Dock port in Providenciales where much-needed goods and supplies are being gridlocked on the compound.
In a country with democratic elections, how could this PNP Party stay in power?
The entire Country on November 1, 2022, woke up to the news of the horrific incident that had taken place. I believe that the entire population of the TCI was negatively affected by this, and deeply sympathize with the bereaved family.
I had to question, am I in the Turks and Caicos Islands? We have never seen this before. The criminals have evolved into an extremely dangerous and merciless species. Therefore, Law enforcement operations, methods, and personnel must evolve along it.
We are now seeing a complete breakdown in law and order and public safety, and quality of life in our communities.
Why is the government now heavily condemning those who share images? Yes, we all agree that certain images must be censored. However, if it were not for those images, though lacking sensitivity, the general public may not have been informed in a timely and complete manner. A picture says a thousand words.
I would impress those individuals who are compelled to share images of a crime scene to censor them before sending them out and consider the sensitivity of the situation.
Without timely and complete reporting, officials should not condemn people for thinking that something not right may be going on. In particular when residents can prove that calls for help were made. Cases like these will always attract heavy public scrutiny and can result in the impact of our fragile Tourism Industry.
Transparency restores public faith in the system. It is the only thing that does. Transparency is the antidote to misinformation.
On the other hand, if you want people to draw their own conclusions or come up with their own conspiracies, then you keep hiding things and giving incomplete information.
It appears that nothing has really changed in the past few weeks, the criminals just adopted, and now our law enforcement leaders must do the same. How this elected government has managed the crisis has been a mistake, as they are very ‘hands-off”, proud to let others do the work for them. And suggestions had been put to them months ago, when we were first talking about the unprecedented rise in crime, and they haven’t acted.
The PDM team suggested viable and workable measures that should be put in place, such as the shot-spotter system, and permanent police presence in those hot areas or a 24-hou shift system in the prone communities. They could have also acted sooner and they did not!
The elected PNP Government has been slow to act throughout this, and when they have, they haven’t done enough, and that’s where the source of the problem is. It is fine to say we have to be honest with people now, but we have to again be completely honest that this government has been getting it wrong for some time now. And where we are is not just because of the resources for the police department, but it is the mismanagement and nonmanagement by this PNP Government.
This a hard and very difficult problem, and our people do not think that there is a quick fix or one easy solution to this problem. We understand the complexity of it, as it is also tied to illegal immigration, illegal settlements, and corruption.
We have a massive increase in demand for people coming to our shores, and the people who are coming are not just people seeking a better life. There are dangerous people coming here in these boats.
We are a compassionate country but we need to ensure that our resources are targeted at the people who really need our help. We have many of our people that need to be lifted out of poverty, people who need more advanced medical care, people who need more schooling and training opportunities, people who need an increase in pay, children who need to feel safe and protected at school and home, and people who need to be able simply to live in peace in their country.
We in the PDM would never sit by and watch our country deteriorate before our eyes.
We will always fight to Protect the way of life of our people,
We will always fight for the Safety of our people,
We will always fight for the Prosperity of our people,
And we will always fight for the Unity of our people.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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