Acting Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams, and Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick co-chaired an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, on Monday 4 March 2024, to discuss the escalating volatility and unrest in Haiti with key frontline agencies to proactively address the situation and to activate comprehensive contingency plans.
The primary objective of these measures is to fortify and ensure the safety of our borders and to protect the citizens, residents, and visitors of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Immigration and Border Services the Honourable Arlington Musgrove; the Permanent Secretary of Immigration and Border Services; Director General of the Border Force; the Commissioner, Deputy, and Assistant Commissioners of Police; the Colonel of the TCI Regiment; and other strategic national agencies.
Recognizing the potential far-reaching impact of the situation in Haiti on the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Security Council is working to ensure that effort is undertaken to implement robust measures that will protect the islands from potential threats. Collaborating closely with our international partners in the Bahamas, United States, and the United Kingdom, the Turks and Caicos Islands is reinforcing its collective efforts to address the evolving circumstances.
In an immediate response to the developing situation, the National Security Council has activated a Strategic Coordinating Group (SGC) as of today 4 March 2024.
This group will be responsible for coordinating and operationalizing a comprehensive strategy on land, air, and sea. This includes the deployment of marine assets, the co-opting of air support, and additional land patrols.
The Council further agreed the continuation of Operation Shepherd, a joint operation between the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the TCI Regiment.
This joint operation seeks to tackle serious and organized crime and provide reassurance to our communities through stepped-up patrols and other operations.
Additionally, contact has been made with the TCI Airports Authority and local air carriers regarding the discontinuation of normal flight operations into Haiti.
InterCaribbean has suspended operations into Port-Au-Prince and Caicos Express has suspended their flight operations in Cap-Haitien. Flight operations into Haiti will continue to be monitored.
The National Security Council remains steadfast in its commitment to prioritising the protection and safety of our islands. As the situation unfolds, we will continue to keep the public informed and ensure that every necessary step is taken to secure our borders and maintain the safety of our communities.
