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PDM Announces Plan to Stop the Sloops’; says PNP Gov’t is “clueless”

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By Deandrea Hamilton

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#TurksandCaicos, February 2, 2023 – For some, the Progressive National Party government has failed to contain the illegal migration problem.  To no one is this perspective more true than the People’s Democratic Movement which in a statement, hammered the government for inaction on stemming the flow of illegal boats from embattled Haiti and cited that now, there are a marked increase in human smuggling operations since the PNP took office.

“The PNP Government of the day seems to be clueless about how to tackle this problem. In the two years that they had come for the work, the country has seen no new plans, strategies, or methods for addressing the illegal movement of people, weapons, drugs, and contraband. On the contrary, we have seen an increase in illegal activities within our territorial waters,” said Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader.

Over 500 Haitians have been caught so far in 2023 trying to enter the islands, illegally.  Police have confirmed that some illegal boats have been missed by the coastal radar and marine branch, which brings unknown dangers to the British overseas territory.

The overwhelming influx is fueled by people seeking relief from a toxic cocktail of widespread infections and deaths as a result of Cholera; the vacuum left by the expiration of term in office of all its democratically elected leaders; the high cost and scarcity of food and the take-over of murderous gangs across the nation.

Astwood said the remedy needs funding and his party has the right strategy.

“The PDM has been working on a very ambitious strategic plan for “Stopping the Sloops”. This plan has a clearly defined vision and mission, with achievable objectives. The strategy was developed with a new and innovative way of stopping and detecting illegal entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands. It employs a multisectoral multiagency approach using new and very promising tactics.”

No details of this plan is shared by Astwood, but he does give clues about where there is grave concern; he slams the PNP for leaving smaller islands unprotected. He likened them to a magnet for the unscrupulous captains who use the lanes and lands for their often ill-fated, always nefarious and irresistibly lucrative voyages.

“For our Family Islands and communities border protection and security are extremely low, or completely absent, hence they also act as alternative unmonitored landing sites for these illegal boats.

We the PDM have been studying in much detail every aspect of this issue of illegal boats. Our Plan will coordinate our intelligence, interception, processing, and enforcement systems. Through increases in the critical staffing areas; increase policing of our waters; use of technology, including sensors, radar, and aerial assets, investments to modernize the ports of entry, and stronger partnerships and information sharing, we the PDM desire to create a safer, more secure, and more efficient border environment of the entire Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Since the statement was issued on February 18, there has been no formal reply from the PNP Administration.  The issue of illegal migration once again proving to be politically polarizing and not severe enough a threat to elicit greater collaboration by the two parties for the good of the country, which is pumping millions of dollars into repatriation costs and bleeding even more dollars due to the social impacts resulting from the deepening crisis in Haiti.

“Protecting our borders from the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, contraband, and people, while promoting lawful entry and exit, is essential to our country, the Turks and Caicos Islands, security, economic prosperity, and national sovereignty.

A PDM government would be committed to enforcing our immigration laws so that we can secure our border and keep the TCI people safe. Our Strategy includes taking action to directly disrupt cartels, smugglers, and nefarious actors.

However, smugglers, human traffickers, and nefarious actors know our loopholes well and continue to exploit them. To truly keep the TCI people safe, we must end loopholes that have left us with policies that serve as tremendous magnets for illegal immigration.”

The plan is to stop the sloops.

“It consists both of a short-term and a long-term plan.

No doubt this Strategy will require budgetary support from Government funding, and New Visionary Leadership for execution and bringing the Plan to fruition. “A new and innovative plan will never be executed with an old and outdated way of thinking.”

The funding will be for acquiring the most suitable and most effective technologies for the purpose, the most suitable and most effective equipment for the activities, implementing the new methodologies, and most importantly employing the most suitable and skilled Turks and Caicos Islanders for organizing and executing the approach.”

There is a document and a vision said Edwin Astwood, who is a former minister of health of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“We the Peoples’ Democratic Movement believe that the TCI should be free from having to face the consequences of illegal boats carrying people, guns, and illegal drugs reaching our shores. We are committed to securing our borders, and developing and enforcing effective immigration laws. We also believe that all of our people and residents have a right to feel safe and protected.

The mission statement of the PDM’s New and Innovative Plan outlines how we would achieve the vision. Our Objectives comprise the specific results that our new system aims to achieve in “stopping the boats”, within the specified timeframe stated.

The PDM’s plan needs the Haitian Government, said the Leader who is depending on a missing in action level of accountability from the Haitian government.  It is a murky, maybe even a doomed expectation as Haiti’s government is relatively non-existent.  Its last elected president – Jovenel Moise – was assassinated in July 2021 and its remaining democratically elected leaders demitted office in early January 2023.

“We need both countries to be in agreement to work together to address this expanding illegal immigration from Haiti, while at the same time promoting trade and commerce.

We the PDM believe that by working cooperatively, both governments will work to combat human smuggling and trafficking in the region, and support both countries in our efforts to combat crime and violence, by cutting off this funding mechanism. These efforts will build on existing bilateral agreements between the TCI and our neighboring countries and will reflect a shared commitment toward regional and hemispheric security.”

For Haiti, despite optimism when the United States and Canada agreed to ‘boots on the ground’ and military support, little had changed for the nation, home to 11 million people including some five million starving children. This month, both countries informed that while they are prepared to sanction alleged corrupt ex-leaders and provide a presence, no combat action is planned.

The PDM, meanwhile, has not said when they plan to release the strategy for public consumption.

“We the PDM have a new and Innovative Plan to protect You, to secure our borders, and to Stop the Illegal Boats. The Premier and his PNP government have No plan,” said Edwin Astwood in conclusion.

Caribbean News

13 Guadeloupean Students Visit Dominica to Deepen Understanding of Kalinago History and Culture

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Roseau, Dominica – Thirteen second-year high school students from Maison Familiale Rurale Education Orientation Lamentin (MFR Lamentin) in Guadeloupe have arrived in Dominica for a five-day educational exchange focused on the Kalinago people—Dominica’s Indigenous community. The initiative forms part of their Caribbean history curriculum and aims to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s rich and often overlooked Indigenous heritage.

This immersive experience, coordinated by Black Island Girl Multimedia, is designed to educate students on the Kalinago people’s contributions, traditions, and resilience, both past and present. By bringing students directly into contact with the Kalinago Territory, this program seeks to reshape the way Caribbean history is taught, centering authentic narratives and challenging historically inaccurate portrayals.

During their stay, students will engage with several cultural leaders including:

  • Anette Sanford, Dominica’s first female Kalinago Chief
  • Cozier Frederick, Minister for Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment, and Constituency Empowerment
  • Earlson Matthew, Chief Cultural Officer of Dominica

The itinerary also includes serval heritage sites and cultural experiences. They will participate in a traditional Kalinago naming ceremony, culinary experiences with locally made cassava and other traditional foods, and visits to historical and natural landmarks such as the Indian River, Fort Shirley, and Titou Gorge.

Educators from MFR Lamentin have extended a heartfelt invitation to members of the Kalinago community and cultural experts to meet with the visiting students. “We would be honoured if you could spare some time to engage with our students and share your perspectives on the significance of the Kalinago civilization in both historical and contemporary contexts,” said Mahailiah Mellow, teacher and development officer from the delegation. “Your expertise and leadership would greatly enrich the students’ understanding and appreciation of this vibrant and enduring culture.”

This exchange not only represents a powerful educational moment but also contributes to the ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Kalinago heritage across the Caribbean.

Black Island Girl Multimedia is a media and communications company founded by Jael Joseph, a Dominican-Canadian journalist, media producer, and cultural storyteller. The company is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented Caribbean voices, reshaping narratives around Caribbean identity, and telling stories that center Black and Indigenous perspectives particularly those often excluded from mainstream historical accounts.

Black Island Girl Multimedia focuses on:

  • Documentary production and multimedia storytelling; “Territory”, a documentary on the Kalinago people won Best Short Doc in 2023 at The Caribbean Tales International Film Festival in Canada.
  • Cultural preservation through digital media, podcasting, and live events
  • Education and advocacy, especially around Caribbean history, heritage, and the experiences of women, migrants, and Indigenous peoples
  • Event partnerships that align with social justice, cultural upliftment, and regional empowerment

The name “Black Island Girl” is both a declaration of identity and a mission: to represent the richness, resilience, and reality of Caribbean life through creative media rooted in truth and lived experience.

For Interviews, media contact:
ACEM By Jael Inc.
Email: jael.joseph@gmail.com
Phone: 767 277-3699 / 614 1770

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Cabinet Approves Unemployment Insurance Benefit for NIS Contributors

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Kingston, Jamaica, May 17, 2025 – Cabinet has approved the introduction of the unemployment insurance benefit, which will be added to the suite of provisions under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The new benefit will serve as a guaranteed safety net for all employees who contribute to the NIS, except for self-employed persons.

Additionally, work is under way to establish the requisite legal and institutional frameworks to implement this important national support system.

“One of the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the urgent need for a system that supports workers who lose their jobs, helping them to remain financially stable while seeking re-employment,” Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 13).

Meanwhile, the Government has taken a decisive step to strengthen the nation’s social security framework by implementing the Social Protection for Increased Resilience and Opportunity (SPIRO), a US$20-million initiative supported by the World Bank.

Mr. Charles Jr. noted that SPIRO, which was launched last year, represents a transformative shift in social governance, with three strategic pillars – the creation of a unified Social Protection Information System (SPIS), supporting the introduction of unemployment insurance, and modernising of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

“The project is already generating impact through comprehensive assessments led by expert consultants, aimed at overhauling labour market services,” he stated.

The Minister further indicated that there will be upgrades to the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) and LMIS, which will enhance the digital infrastructure for employment services.

 

CONTACT: LATONYA LINTON

Release: JIS

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A cut above the rest, Maria Cash Williams, BTC’s lead butcher shares her journey

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: How did a young girl from a small Caribbean island grow into a skilled butcher and a leader in one of the most cutting-edge hospitality teams in the Turks and Caicos Islands?

This is the remarkable story of a woman who, for over a decade, has mastered her craft in a field traditionally dominated by men—transforming raw cuts into culinary art. With precision and passion, Maria Cash Williams has carved a path of her own as a respected kitchen supervisor in the butcher shop at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

Williams was employed at the leading family resort for more than 18 years. Her journey in the hospitality industry at Beaches Turks and Caicos started in 1995 at the then Royal Bay Resort as a cook. Due to a loss within the family Maria took a hiatus in 2013 to focus on her family and herself.

She rejoined the Beaches team in 2022. “One of my most difficult periods was when I lost my husband and decided to take a break to focus on providing emotional and physical support for the rest of my family. This period gave me a chance to task myself to rise above every obstacle. I’m happy for the continued support that I have received from friends and family,” Maria shared.

When asked what she loves most about her job, according to Maria, “I adore the motivation my profession gives me to improve my skills daily. While I’m passionate about growth, I also enjoy assisting my team members in enhancing their abilities. I also have a profound desire for  butchery because it allows me to be creative in how I prepare meat for guests’ consumption,” Maria said.

She also indicated that her passion for the field developed as she managed the butcher shop for more than 10 years.

Maria furthered her education through the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) where she completed a total of 10 certifications including Certified Hospitality Supervisor, Train the Trainer, Safe Surf and Customer Service. Some of the leaders who have had the most profound impact on Maria since she started working at BTC are Collin Watson, former executive chef, for the way he molded her into who she is today and a former manager Caston Carr who also encouraged her to never settle for less as he constantly reminds her that she is capable of achieving anything she puts her mind to.

“The qualities that Mr. Carr embraces and demonstrates as a manager, seeing that from a supervisor’s stand point is what encourages me every day to improve my abilities which shows in the work that I produce. I would say Mr. Carr was a mentor to me, someone I can go to for guidance, and to get clarity on whatever I found to be unclear,” Maria noted.

“She’s an outstanding role model who leads by example and brings her best to work each and every day. Maria is dependable and a committed team player whose passion for the industry helps in creating a healthy working environment,” shared Executive Chef Craig Nazareth.

Lawrence Haye, cook in the banqueting unit added, “the quality of Maria’s work can be seen in everything that she does. She is a mentor to the culinary team in the kitchen and around the resort. She’s approachable and sports a smile at all times. She is truly a gem.”

Maria noted, “my most memorable experience at BTC was meeting my new team members and getting to know their cultural backgrounds, and helping to enhance their present skills.”
She shared that if she wasn’t working as a kitchen supervisor she would be working as a bartender since she started out working at the bar in the early 1980’s.

When asked what she loves to do in her leisure time, Maria highlighted that she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, listening to music and relaxing with a cold drink while watching her favourite television shows. If she had one day to live she would spend it by giving God thanks and enjoying quality time with her children and grandchildren, whom she loves dearly. Maria describes herself as a bubbly person; someone who is funny, joyous and high spirited.

Maria Cash Williams, a veteran in the hospitality field of butchery, still enjoys what she considers to be her first love.

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