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Commonsense, Not Confrontation: Why Kamla Persad-Bissessar Is Right

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This debate did not start with Donald Trump, and it did not start this month.

For more than a decade, this reporter has had a front-row seat to repeated, urgent calls from across the Caribbean for stronger intervention by the United States in response to gun- and narcotics-fuelled violence that has hollowed out our communities. Long before today’s headlines, leaders warned that transnational gangs were outgunning police, draining public resources and stealing our youngest people.

Much of the public messaging leaned toward calls for fewer guns flowing from the United States, but the practical response from Washington evolved into something else: tactical undergirding of the Caribbean. Training, intelligence sharing, maritime surveillance and joint operations expanded under successive U.S. administrations — Republican and Democrat alike.

Then came Venezuela.

President Nicolás Maduro proved himself an unhinged and destabilising force, openly threatening Guyana’s oil-rich territory and pushing the region to the brink of a conflict no Caribbean state could afford. The United States showed up. The threat of war was blunted. That mattered.

But while geopolitical flames were contained, the narcotics trade exploded.

CARICOM convened emergency meetings on transnational gang violence. Crime became so pervasive that it was formally classified as a public health threat. Entire communities were terrorised. Courts clogged. Police forces stretched beyond capacity.

And now — quietly but noticeably — the tempo has shifted.

While no single forensic study can capture the full picture, it is easily verifiable on the ground that major narcotics busts and trafficking activity have slowed in recent months. Something has changed. Pressure works.

This is the reality Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is responding to.

Her critics accuse her of breaking ranks. What she is actually doing is refusing to indulge in strategic hypocrisy — demanding international help to confront narco-terrorism while appearing to defend or excuse the very networks and actors we have spent years condemning.

Sovereignty is not an insult. The Caribbean invokes it constantly. To deny it to the United States — especially when the policies in question were telegraphed months in advance and remain adjustable — is not diplomacy. It is posturing.

What is most troubling is the region’s selective memory. CARICOM has directed months of rhetorical fire at Trump-era policies, yet when disaster struck — from security crises to Hurricane Melissa — the United States remained one of the region’s most reliable supporters. Outcomes matter more than allegiance theatre.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar is not suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome. She is applying commonsense statecraft. She understands that small states do not gain leverage by moral outrage alone, and that credibility is lost when we appear aligned with individuals, regimes or activities we ourselves have deemed a threat.

Her warning to CARICOM is simple and necessary: do not undermine your own cause.

The Caribbean’s fight against narco-violence, corruption and instability has been long, costly and painful. If pressure is finally producing results, we should be wise enough to recognise it — and brave enough to say so.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Police Commissioner Honoured with Distinguished Civic Service Award at TCHTA Star Awards

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders, executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.

Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.

In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.

The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.

This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.

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New Chartered Accountant Member Appointed to The Integrity Commission

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Darius E. Ferguson, Member of the Integrity Commission Board

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, today announced the appointment of Mr. Darius E. Ferguson as a Member of the Integrity Commission Board, serving as the Chartered Accountant Member in accordance with Section 3(2)(a) of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. His appointment is for a period of three (3) years and follows consultation with the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Society of Professional Accountants.

Mr. Ferguson, with family ties to Providenciales and South Caicos, is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of senior leadership experience across aviation, finance, technology and consultancy, he brings a strong and diverse background in financial governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning.

A former Chief Financial Officer of Sky Bahamas Airlines for a decade, Mr. Ferguson managed all financial reporting, regulatory engagement, capital projects and commercial development initiatives. He previously served in senior audit roles at both Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, leading high‑risk audit engagements and ensuring adherence to international financial and accounting standards.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ferguson has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional ethics, community leadership and organisational accountability. His experience across corporate governance, financial oversight, and operational risk management will bring valuable strategic insight to the Integrity Commission.

Her Excellency the Governor welcomed the appointment, stating:

“Mr. Ferguson’s extensive background in financial management, auditing and governance, together with his leadership experience across both corporate and community sectors, make him well‑suited to serve on the Integrity Commission. His appointment strengthens our ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public life. I am confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s important work.”

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Multi-Agency Planning Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, 5 February 2026, at Block and Parcel 60503/17 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Planning Department, pursuant to its statutory authority under the Physical Planning Act to address unauthorised development. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Crown Land Unit and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action formed part of a Public Private Partnership initiative between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and private landowners. The registered owners of the land would have sought the state’s assistance to issue copies of Section 58 Enforcement Notices on unlawful structures identified on the parcel. The subject parcel comprises approximately 25 acres extending across Millennium Highway.

During the exercise, a total of fifty-four (54) copies of the Enforcement Notice were issued on structures located on the parcel. Notices were affixed to structures and served on persons found to be occupying illegal developments.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold planning regulations, protect property rights, and promote orderly and lawful development. Persons undertaking construction are reminded that development without the requisite planning approvals is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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