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Sean Astwood laments: ‘A Nation Under Siege’ as country counts Murder No. 42

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Deandrea Hamilton

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#Turks and Caicos, November 6, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos has now recorded 42 murders for 2024 and is listed as having one of the highest murder rates on the planet; a vexing statistic for the little nation home to around 46,000 people who live amidst the most picturesque spots in the world.

Former deputy premier, Sean Astwood has offered his thoughts on the out of control killings.

“For a country known for its tranquility and safety, this level of violence is unprecedented and alarming. The escalating violence that has gripped our communities is a heartbreaking situation. We are not just witnessing random acts of crime; we are seeing organized and brutal attacks that have never been part of our society. Over the last three and half plus years we are now facing gang rapes, kidnappings, beheadings, and broad daylight public executions— horrors we could not have imagined just several years ago.”

Astwood is one of many voices lamenting on the soaring rate and gruesome nature of crimes and the criminals perpetrating them.

On Monday November 4, while in her home a woman was shot to death.  Some are describing her murder, No. 42 for the year, as “a hit”.

The former member of parliament for Five Cays explained in an Op-Ed piece:  “Let me be clear: this level of crime CANNOT be allowed to be the norm in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our once-peaceful shores are now being tainted by the blood of victims whose lives have been cut short by criminal elements that have no regard for human life or the law.

These violent crimes are not only robbing families of their loved ones, but they are also robbing our nation of its sense of security and peace.

We must ask ourselves; how did we get here? How did a nation once known for its serene beauty and low crime rates become a place where fear and violence dominate? The answer lies in a combination of external influences and internal failures. Our islands have been infiltrated by organized criminal networks, fueled by illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and the spread of illegal firearms.

These elements have taken root in our communities, and without urgent, decisive action, they will continue to spread their toxic influence.

I refuse to believe that this is our fate. I believe that we can and must take back control of our islands. We need a government that is not only aware of the challenges but also willing to take the bold, necessary steps to confront these criminals head-on.

Our law enforcement agencies need more resources, better tools, and greater support to dismantle these criminal networks and bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.”

But Police are generously allocated tens of millions each fiscal year, with the UK leading national security there has been a change of Commissioner of Police over the years with former officers from Canada, the UK and most recently Grenada appointed to the helm.  Technology, new assets and legislative overhauls have among the tactics employed in the effort to curb crime.  Still, there continues to be a surging murder rate which is tied to illegal migration and gang activity.  The majority of those killed are part of the documented and undocumented expatriate community.

Astwood, who is announced as a candidate or the People’s Democratic Movement in the 2025 General Elections says his team has ideas; he has personally pledged to activate measure to reduce crime.

“I am committed to pushing for comprehensive crime-fighting strategies that will restore peace to our communities.

We need to empower our police with forensic technologies, strengthen our borders to prevent illegal firearms from entering, and foster a system of accountability that ensures no criminal feels untouchable. With the support of you, the electorate, me along with my PDM colleagues will ensure restoring peace in our communities and make TCI Safe again. Safe to live, safe to work, safe to send our children to school, and safe to socialize with our family and friends. We are at a turning point. The future of our nation is at stake, and we must act now to stop this wave of violence before it destroys everything we hold dear. The safety and security of our people must be the top priority.

I stand with the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands in demanding change, demanding action, and demanding justice. Together, we can overcome this crisis and reclaim the peace that has always defined our nation.

The time to act is now, and I will not rest until we have restored the Turks and Caicos Islands to the safe, beautiful paradise that we all know and love.”

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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