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Courageous Decorator Maria Rolle tells us why it was RACISM

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Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicosIslands, October 6, 2023 – Immediate unprovoked anger and fear for her safety is what one event decorator says she was met with after an altercation with a villa owner in Providenciales, now Robert Been, Opposition Deputy Leader is calling for a dedicated system to report these issues.

“We trust that authorities will swiftly address this matter, including taking punitive measures against Mr. Gulka. Regrettably, we believe that Ms. Rolle’s experience may not be an isolated incident– We call upon the government to ensure that the mechanisms in place for reporting and investigating such incidents function effectively and receive the necessary resources to do so,” said Been.

The response was prompted by a video showing an irate villa owner instructing decorator Maria Rolle to get off of his property, but not before demanding she ‘wash’ his floors with a rag. We reached out to get the full story from Maria. 

We asked Maria if she had damaged Gulka’s villa by accident.  

She told the news team decisively there was no property damage whatsoever before the villa owner arrived and began to berate her. 

Maria was confused as she said she and Cory had spoken only hours before and she had gotten his okay to carry out the decor.

“The host, that same guy in the video contacted me and he was like oh the guest said you’re going to be coming in to do balloons, how much time do you need?”

When she arrived she was let in by an unnamed woman and began her decorating process. When the owner arrived about five minutes later Maria said he immediately told her not to stick anything onto the ceiling and tugged roughly on the balloons which were floating with the help of helium. Rolle tried to explain that the balloons were not stuck to anything but even that did not diffuse the situation. 

“He asked me why I was talking back and told me his rules were his rules and said ‘If you don’t like them you can get the ‘f*** out!”

After that, with distress in her voice, Maria explains that Cory threw a rag at her and now fearful, she decided to leave the house and start recording. In that recording, the villa owner can be heard saying,

“Wash the floor,” while he holds a green terry rag in one hand and a string of pink balloons in the other.

“I’m not washing the floor,” Maria responds as the villa owner blocks the door.

“Take those balloons out.” he demands to which the decorator says “I have two hands, sir.”

“Then put your s*** down and take your balloons out because as soon as you walk out the door you’re not going to take them up. Take your balloons out and wash the floor.”

To her protests that she would not wash the floor he responded

“You’re washing the floor, you f****** walked in with your dirty shoes.” It was this part of the exchange, Maria said, that felt racially demeaning.

“Mops exist, why would you throw a rag at me and tell me to go on my hands and knees, and wash your floors? A broom exists, plus the floors were not dirty,” she explained.

After the confrontation, in which Cory in the cell phone video can be seen blocking the door, Maria makes her way out into the driveway and the balloons are removed and loaded into her vehicle but not before another abrasive move, where the villa manager appears to slam the trunk of her jeep.

Even then the shocking ordeal wasn’t over.

A few hours later, Maria says she was contacted by the guest with whom she shared the videos after Cory reportedly lied to the woman, blaming Maria for running off and not finishing the decor.

After clearing that up with the guest she tells Magnetic Media she was repeatedly contacted by Cory as well who she says was acting completely different as if nothing had happened. When she revealed she had video evidence he reportedly tried to get her to come back to the property to talk but Rolle refused, he also refused to refund the guest.

Rolle says Cory then tried to bully her again, this time into returning to finish the decor. The decorator refused, determined not to step foot on his property again; when she refused he hung up.

“He called me back like five minutes later like a totally different person saying oh Maria I spoke to the guest and I’m going to refund her you don’t have to worry… and I said I’m not worried you should worry,” Rolle told us.

Rille was right. Her experience was shared on social media and the outpouring of support reached as high up as the Minister of Immigration and Border Services who has now launched an investigation. Others are calling for Cory Gulka to be deported immediately. 

She asked him not to contact her again, but he kept trying to reach out with platitudes and offers of business and partnership, all of which Rolle said she declined, citing his repulsive behavior. It was that behavior and her determination that he should not get away with treating residents this way that pushed the decorator to share the video.

Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration was horrified by the ordeal

“The release and video issued by the brave young Rolle was disturbing and infuriating, to say the least, and it showed the actions of what I can only call a bully and of absolute hatred by Mr. Gulka,” he continued. “Let me be clear, to live and work amongst us in these Islands is indeed a privilege and one which should never be abused.”

When we tried to contact Gulka, his Atmosphere Villa’s website which cited both Lyra, the property in question, and Vela, a twin property, was closed to the public. 

 

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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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

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Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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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.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

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.

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