TCI News

PDM Chastises Gov’t on Bomb threat handling; Astwood says he has 10 Solutions

Published

1 year ago

May 12, 2024

Shanieka

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

The People’s Democratic Movement is talking airport innovation and chastising the government for its silence following the recent string of bomb threats against the JAGS McCartney International and Providenciales International Airports in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“If something serious is happening to our country and our people of the Turks & Caicos Islands, by now we all know who will be silent and who will be hiding from their responsibilities. If you said the Premier and his Cabinet Ministers, you are 100% correct. I have never seen such a government that constantly hides from crises, and are afraid of speaking to serious issues affecting our people,” said Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader in a statement issued on May 1.

There has since been statements issued by Edvin Martin, TCI Commissioner of Police and jointly by Washington Misick, TCI Premier and Daleeni Daniel-Selveratnam, TCI Governor. There have also been more threats, up to seven with the scope expanding to include school children.

For airport safety and security, the PDM Leader laid out ten innovations a government administration led by him would action, he said.

“A PDM government, under my leadership, will review and implement innovative approaches and technologies that can be considered for at airports to strengthen security measures, such as:

Biometric Authentication- to verify the identity of passengers and airport personnel, enhancing security and streamlining the check-in and boarding processes.
Explosive Detection Systems- systems that use cutting-edge technologies such as computed tomography (CT) scanning to enhance the detection of explosives and other prohibited items in baggage and cargo.
Email Authentication Protocols- Implementations email authentication protocols such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) to verify the authenticity of email senders and prevent email spoofing.
Email Threat Intelligence- Utilize email threat intelligence feeds and services that provide real-time information on emerging email threats, malicious domains, and known threat actors to enhance our email security defenses.
Cybersecurity Measures – to protect our airports infrastructure, systems, and data from cyber threats, and hacking attempts that could compromise airport operations and passenger safety.

Drone Detection and Mitigation- to identify unauthorized drones flying near our airports premises and employing countermeasures to mitigate potential threats posed by rogue drones.
Smart Access Control Systems- utilizing biometrics, RFID technology, or mobile credentials to manage and monitor access to restricted areas within our airport, reducing the risk of unauthorized entry.
Enhance Emergency Response Training- emergency response training exercises and drills to prepare our airport staff, security personnel, and first responders to effectively respond to security incidents, natural disasters, or terrorist attacks.
Public Awareness Campaigns- Educating passengers and airport visitors about our country’s security procedures, emergency protocols, and the importance of reporting suspicious activities to enhance overall security vigilance and community engagement in maintaining airport safety.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement – Our National Security Council to Work closely with both local and international law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity organizations, and industry partners to share threat intelligence, collaborate on investigations, and take legal action against malicious actors involved in email threats.”

The bomb threats, which have all, so far been found to be hoaxes has spread to now include airport facilities in Cayman, Bermuda, Anguilla and the BVI. The emailed threat has been traced to a Russian domain, similarly in India bomb threats against schools there are originating from a Russian domain.

At this stage however, there continues to be emphasis on the collaborations now employed to unearth who is responsible for the threats.

“The RTCIPF, on the operational response and ongoing investigations into the recent threats made against the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports and Schools. As of 26 April, ten (10) threats have been made with the most recent three (3) targeting various schools in Grand Turk and South Caicos. In addition, it was confirmed that similar threats have been made against airports in other British Overseas Territories in the region.

The Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG), stood-up by the NSC, is managing TCI’s response, and is collaborating with UK and international partners in its law enforcement efforts to track the source of the threats and manage risks,” divulged an NSC post meeting statement.

The meeting, held on May 7 at the Office of the Governor in Providenciales, included: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, and the Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick, co-chairs; HE the Deputy Governor, the Hon. Deputy Premier; the Hon. Minister for Immigration and Border Services; the Hon. Attorney General; the Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF); the Permanent Secretary National Security Secretariat (NSS); the Permanent Secretary Governor’s Office; the NSS Threat Lead; Hon. Minister of Tourism; Hon. Minister of Education; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education; Director of the Education Department; Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Executive Charmain and Managing Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority.

Astwood has now requested that the terms of reference of the airport be made public and has extended, yet again, to the general public his willingness to take over leadership of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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VisitTCI and Potcake Place Highlight Growing Homeless Dog Crisis

Published

2 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands could soon be facing a major tourism problem: thousands more stray dogs.

It’s a likely consequence of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban on US puppy imports, says Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder and director Jane ParkerRauw in a new video produced by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The collaboration between the country’s leading tourism website and the charity dog rescue—which works to reduce the local population of homeless dogs—sheds light on how the CDC ruling has disrupted the charity’s operations and is contributing to an alarming rise in the country’s homeless dogs.

“It’s going to take years of getting back from [the progress we’ve lost] over the last 14 months,” said Parker-Rauw in an interview with VisitTCI. “I can’t stress how in such a short period of time, this is going to have such an impact on tourism here.”

On Aug. 1, 2024, the CDC’s ban on importing dogs less than six months old into the US took effect. The ban aims to prevent the introduction of DMRVV (dog-maintained rabies virus variant) into the US.

Since then, Potcake Place has been unable to find homes for hundreds of puppies. For the first time in the rescue’s 25-year history, they have had to turn away dogs.

“If we allow stray dogs to overrun the islands, it will inevitably affect the experience of our visitors and the tourism industry as a whole,” says Daniel J. LeVin, executive editor of VisitTCI. “Visit Turks and Caicos Islands works hard to promote the Turks and Caicos as one of the world’s premier travel destinations, and that means supporting efforts that protect the environment, community, and visitor experience.”

Many residents of Providenciales remember a time when wild dogs were shot to keep packs in check, or more recently, the fatal attack of a North Caicos woman in 2012 by feral dogs.

Large stray populations pose health and safety risks, deter tourists, and strain public resources. Many puppies the Potcake Place has had to turn away since the ban began have likely already had puppies themselves, says Parker-Rauw.

The impact of controlling a potentially explosive population of homeless dogs could have serious negative effects on the Turks and Caicos tourism industry, as seen in countries like Turkey.

“Two dogs in six years, if none of their offspring die, will produce 62,000 dogs,” says Parker-Rauw. “This is a major problem.”

The United States accounts for over 80% of visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the vast majority of Potcake Place’s adoptions.

Since the ban came into effect, US adoptions have dropped from roughly 500 per year to just five per month, says Parker-Rauw. Getting older puppies to the US is challenging, as they’re too large for airline cabins and not permitted in the hold of planes traveling between Turks and Caicos and the US.

Potcake Place has been advocating for a revision of the ban to allow puppies from lowrisk rabies or rabies-free countries into the US. Turks and Caicos is a DMRVV-free country, and all puppies adopted through Potcake Place are fully vaccinated before travel.

This collaboration is one of several that Visit Turks and Caicos Islands has spearheaded this year to promote sustainable tourism. Both the video and an expanded article can be found at www.visittci.com/news .

TCI News

Turks and Caicos Islands Reaffirms Status as Premier Beach and Romance Destination at World Travel Awards

Published

4 days ago

October 6, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (October 6th, 2025) – The Turks and Caicos Islands has once again reaffirmed its status as the Caribbean’s premier beach and romance destination at the annual World Travel Awards.

At the ceremony held in Saint Lucia on October 4th, the destination was named the region’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos has captured the Leading Beach Destination title every year since 2015 and the Most Romantic Destination award for seven consecutive years.

“It is no secret that the Turks and Caicos Islands is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and we are honoured that voters continue to recognise this. Our pristine waters and secluded settings also make the destination one of the world’s most romantic getaways, especially for couples seeking luxury and intimacy. On behalf of Experience Turks and Caicos, I extend sincere thanks to the World Travel Awards and to everyone who voted in support of our islands,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos.

Experience Turks and Caicos would like to extend congratulations to our hotel partners and stakeholders who also won regional recognition at the World Travel Awards.

Beaches – Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025

The Palms – Caribbean’s Leading All-Suite Hotel 2025

Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort – Caribbean’s Leading Private Island Resort 2025

InterCaribbean – Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew 2025

Turks and Caicos Islands Awards

Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Boutique Hotel 2025

The Palms – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel 2025

Grace Bay Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Luxury Resort 2025

The Shore Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Resort 2025

Four-bedroom Oceanfront Penthouse @Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel Suite 2025

Avis – Turks and Caicos Leading Car Rental Company 2025

Caicos Dream Tours – Turks and Caicos Leading Tour Operator 2025

Olympia Destination Management Company – Turks and Caicos Leading Destination Management Company 2025

The Turks and Caicos Islands now has an opportunity to win ultimate recognition in global travel and tourism with three global nominations in the World Travel Awards for the following:

World’s Leading Beach Destination
World’s Leading Island Destination
World’s Most Romantic Destination

The “World’s Leading” categories are the highest in the World Travel Awards programme. Voting runs from October 6^th -26th October 2025. Votes can be cast by travel professionals, media and tourism consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes announced as the 2025 World Travel Awards winner.

TCI News

103 Migrants Intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard and TCI Agencies

Published

3 weeks ago

September 21, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.

The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.

A breakdown of those on board confirmed:

75 males (including two minors)
28 females (including two minors)

This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510. The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.

Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force