By Deandrea Hamilton, Editor
Turks and Caicos, May 15, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, has praised the nation’s law enforcers and the TCI Regiment following their participation in the prestigious TRADEWINDS 25 regional security exercise, which concluded in Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.
The closing ceremony, held in the twin-island republic, marked the end of two weeks of rigorous, multinational training involving over 1,000 personnel from 26 nations. The Governor expressed immense pride in seeing the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment stand shoulder to shoulder with regional and international forces in a demonstration of unity, resilience, and preparedness.
“TRADEWINDS 25 has once again proven the critical value of collaboration among our regional partners,” said Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam. “I am proud of the professionalism and dedication shown by the TCI Regiment and our law enforcement representatives. Their efforts continue to bolster national and regional security.”
Her Excellency joined other high-level dignitaries for the closing, including Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of U.S. Southern Command; Hon. Wayne Sturge, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of National Security; and Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel, Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (Coast Guard). Diplomats from across the Caribbean and the Americas were also in attendance, underscoring the global importance of the TRADEWINDS initiative.
The TRADEWINDS 25 exercise, hosted this year by Trinidad and Tobago, aimed to strengthen the collective capacity of regional partners to respond to humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and security threats. For the Turks and Caicos Islands, participation was not only symbolic but strategic-demonstrating the territory’s growing capacity in defence and regional cooperation.
The Governor highlighted that involvement in TRADEWINDS enhances the TCI’s readiness in areas such as search and rescue, border security, and disaster response. She also commended the close collaboration between the Regiment and law enforcement agencies, including the Royal TCI Police Force, in preparing for and engaging in this international exercise.
“Regional security is only as strong as our weakest link,” she emphasized. “By investing in our people, our capabilities, and our partnerships, we ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands remains a resilient and respected contributor to Caribbean stability.”
TRADEWINDS 25 concludes as one of the largest iterations of the exercise to date, leaving a legacy of stronger regional ties and enhanced operational capabilities.
