News
Trust the Process
#TurksandCaicos, June 30, 2022 – Several negative statements regarding the U15 basketball team inspired me to write this particular article and those two statements will become our mantra going forward as we continue to trust the process as we work towards getting better. It caused me to question if a large percentage of all basketball enthusiast are aware of and subscribe to the Turks and Caicos Islands Basketball Federation’s vision and how it fits into the organization overall strategic objective. Those of us who found the vision to be meaningful have align ourselves with the vision. However, it does not prevent us from living in the moment and enjoying the advantages
and small successes but we recognize that it is also about planning for the future. An effective vision statement clearly outlines the aspirations of any organization and what it hopes to achieve short term, medium term and long term.
The Turks and Caicos Islands U15 basketball team begun its journey several months ago by carrying out a tour of Jamaica where the team was able to participate in a number of basketball games and enjoy a degree of success in regard to the five games that they participated in. They posted a record of 3 victories and two losses. While in Jamaica the President of the Federation learnt that Puerto Rico was chosen as the host country for the 2022 Centrobasket U15 Championship. He immediately begun to lobby the organizers for a spot if any of the qualifying countries were unable to participate in the scheduled event for whatever reason. As faith would have it a spot became available and we were invited to be a part of this year’s Centrobasket Championship thereby realizing one of our strategic objectives sooner than expected. The invite was also historic in that the U15 is the first junior basketball team to formally represent the Turks and Caicos Islands in a formal regional FIBA basketball tournament and the second team to represent our beloved country in a FIBA regional basketball event, the 2004 men’s basketball team was the first.
We began our journey to Puerto Rico on June 16 2022. We arrived in Miami minus two team members and our President, Mr. Sydwell Glasgow who was undergoing minor surgery on the day we departed Providenciales. The 12 member contingent (10 players and 2 coaches) arrived in Puerto Rico several hours later and the remaining two players, who travel to Miami later that day, eventually made it to Puerto Rico later that night. Yep, that was the first leg of the race.
Subsequently, I attended the technical meeting the next day June 17. The technical meeting and Team Turks and Caicos first practice were conducted simultaneously. Head Coach Mervin Forbes oversaw the practice and in my capacity as Secretary-General and Team Manager I represent the team at the Technical Committee meeting. I was required to present the list of players, coaches and other accompany members of the delegation. The passport of each member of the delegation and the official uniforms of the players and coaching staff to ensure that the relevant FIBA requirements were met. The process begun at 2:15 pm on the aforementioned date and time. We got clearance for 9 players plus the coaching staff. Additional information was needed to clear the remaining 3 players and the last remaining evaluation was conducted at 2am the next day. All is well that ends well, the last three remaining players were cleared to compete – TCI contingent 12 players strong.
The journey continued on the 18th of June 2022 when Team TCI played Team Costa Rica which was the first game of the Centrobasket U15 Championship. In a tightly contested basketball game that was highly competitive we saw a number of lead changes throughout the four quarters of the game. Team Turks and Caicos eventually won the game 67 to 61.
Team Turks and Caicos in its second game played a strong Dominican Republic (DR) team; who came into the event ranked as the third strongest team in the event. They proved to be a handful for the Turks and Caicos as Team Turks and Caicos struggle to keep pace with the DR. Team Turks and Caicos found itself down because of a number
self-inflicted wounds by virtue of multiple turnovers and them not finishing when the team had uncontested lay-ups and uncontested jump shots. The DR won that game 100 to 46. It was obvious that Team Turks and Caicos can compete with the DR but too many mistakes and poor execution place them in an unattainable position.
In game three, we saw more of the same from Team Turks and Caicos in the game against Puerto Rico. Our defense were suspect, turnovers and missed opportunities contributed to us not keeping pace with Puerto Rico; the strongest team in the tournament. It was obvious, that we have the complimentary pieces but we need more time to work out the kinks and play together as a unit. Team Turks and Caicos lost the game 123 to 32 to the defending champions.
Next up for Team Turks and Caicos Islands was Mexico, another Latino power house who is ranked number two in this event. They are not skilled as Puerto Rico but the style of play is similar. Defensively and offensively they keep coming at you as was evident in the game played against Team Turks and Caicos. They defeated Turks and Caicos 103 to 39.
Team Turks and Caicos fifth and final game was played against Team Bahamas. This was a battle between two teams that share a similar colonial history and that was once one country. They have a history of competing against each other in the sport of basketball. Whenever they compete it is for bragging rights and the losing team is reminded by the winning team, whenever the opportunity presents itself, that when last we met on the field which
country won. Team Bahamas defeated Team Turks and Caicos 79 to 56.
Team Turks and Caicos have a number of players whose outstanding individual performance during the tournament caused them to be named in the point standing and rebound standing: Dylan Morris is third in scoring with 18.3 points per game just below Puerto Rico’s Felipe Andres, the second leading scorer with 18.4 points per game. Roldjudson Lacossade (RJ) is top rebounder with highest rebounding percentage with 15.8 rebounds per game.
Team Turks and Caicos finish like we started: we played gritty, hustling, resolute basketball. Despite being undersize, having less experience then our competition and having to contend with injuries along way. Team Turks and Caicos have nothing to be a shame about – they met the giants on the field of battle who were more equipped and better prepared than they were but they held their own with just a “sling shot and a couple of stones”: (Dylan Morris, Roldjudson Lacossade (RJ), Harry Taylor, Ethan Taylor, Adin Missick, Malachi Missick, Dillion Forbes, Takeem Williams, Rezon Carmichael, T’kai Delancy, Kymani Carter and Onai Lightbourne). Historic Diamonds in the rough.
There are number of persons we need to thank because without the cooperation and support of the following individuals and business establishments the Federation would not have been able to realize this enormous task. I start by the thanking the parents of the young men that was selected to compete on the U15 basketball team. Thanks
to the principals who made arrangements for the young men to sit their exams subsequent to returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands. We take this opportunity to thank Hon. Rachel Taylor and the Hon. Otis Morris for their individual roles in ensuring that we were able to attend this prestigious event by making sure all the pieces fell into place. We express our appreciation to the Chairman, Director and Staff of the Sports Commission for the part they played in assisting the Federation as they went beyond the call of duty to ensure that our athletes had access to the facilities and other much need assistance.
We also take this opportunity to thank our major sponsor TDMG Concordia. The company sponsor the team, the coaches and the Federation Executives uniforms. We are extremely grateful for your much needed assistance. We also take this opportunity to thank Long Bay Express for sponsoring the uniforms that was used in Jamaica and were used in Puerto Rico as our practice uniforms. We would be remiss if we did not thank the various employees in a number of Government Departments for assisting us in crunch time. Blessings to all of you, especially the indigenous population and those living and working in the Turks and Caicos Islands who watch the games on Facebook and cheered us on.
Press Release: TCI Basketball Federation
September 12, 2025
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to a wealth of creativity, from artisans and craft vendors to musicians and performers. Beaches Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive family resort, has pledged its continued support for these individuals by providing meaningful platforms for them to share their skills and stories with guests from around the world.
The resort’s commitment is most evident in its weekly Cultural Night showcase, where visitors are immersed in the vibrant traditions of the islands. Guests enjoy live performances which feature local music genres such as ripsaw, while artisans display and sell handmade creations. This event not only enriches the guest experience but also strengthens economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Entertainment Division Manager Garett Bailey emphasized the significance of Cultural Night, “we want to showcase everything the Turks and Caicos Islands culture has to offer. Our goal is for guests to leave with a deeper appreciation of the island’s art, music and traditions, while giving local talent the opportunity to share their creativity with visitors from across the globe.”
Beyond Cultural Night, Beaches Turks and Caicos also welcomes local craft vendors onto the resort every Wednesday and Friday
where they are offered a direct space to market their goods. Guests have easy access to the Turks and Caicos Cultural Marketplace, where they can purchase authentic local arts and crafts.
Managing Director, James McAnally, highlighted how these initiatives reflect the resort’s broader mission, “we are committed to celebrating and sharing the vibrant culture of these islands with our guests. By showcasing local artistry and music, we not only provide entertainment but also help sustain and grow the creative industries of the Turks and Caicos Islands. From our cultural showcases to nightly live music, we are proud to create authentic connections between our guests and the people of these islands.”
Local musician Keon Hall, who frequently performs at the resort, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership, “being able to share my music with Beaches’ guests has created lasting relationships. Some visitors return year after year and request songs from previous performances. This partnership continues to celebrate what we do and strengthens the bond between local artists and the resort.”
The resort’s support of local artisans and entertainers extends beyond business opportunity; it is about preserving heritage and sharing stories. Guests take home more than souvenirs; they leave with experiences that deepen their understanding of Turks and Caicos’ culture and history.
Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan, noted the importance of this commitment, “for many visitors, these interactions represent their first genuine connection to the Turks and Caicos Islands. From artisans and musicians to farmers and transport operators, our local talent helps shape every guest experience. At Beaches, we are proud to give them the stage to share their stories and their heritage.”
Beaches Turks & Caicos remains dedicated to developing cultural connections and supporting the artisans, musicians and entrepreneurs whose creativity makes the Turks and Caicos Islands unique. Each guest experience is an opportunity to celebrate and sustain the spirit of the islands.
Caribbean News
“Barbecue” is Cooked! US Turns Over 11 Million Haitians into Potential Informants with $5 Million Bounty
August 12, 2025
The United States just set fire to the underworld in Haiti — and this time, the smoke might finally flush out the man many call the most feared in the Caribbean.
On Tuesday, the U.S. government slapped a $5 million bounty on the head of Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the ex-police officer
turned gang boss accused of orchestrating massacres, torching neighborhoods, and strangling Haiti’s capital into chaos. This isn’t just a headline — it’s a full-blown game-changer.
That kind of cash — offered under the State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program — is enough to turn the country’s entire population, more than 11 million people, into potential informants overnight. Add the millions in the Haitian diaspora, and Chérizier isn’t just wanted. He’s surrounded.
The Number That Changes Everything
Five million U.S. dollars today equals about 655 million Haitian Gourdes. In a country where many scrape by on less than $5 a day, that’s not just life-changing — it’s life-defining. It’s enough to rebuild homes, put generations through school, or buy a one-way ticket far from the gunfire.
In a place where trust is scarce and survival is everything, that figure is more than tempting — it’s irresistible. For Chérizier, it means every friend could be a future informant, and every loyalist might be calculating the cost of staying loyal.
‘We Will Find Them’ — Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney
Jeanine “Judge Jeanine” Pirro, the U.S. Attorney, set the tone with fire in her voice. “This indictment is the first of its kind,” she announced. “Jimmy Chérizier, also known as ‘Barbecue,’ is a notorious gang leader from Haiti who has orchestrated and committed various acts of violence against Haitians, including the 2018 La Saline attack in which approximately 71 people were killed. He both planned and participated in that massacre.
“Anyone who is giving money to ‘Barbecue’ cannot say, ‘I didn’t know.’ They will be prosecuted, and we will find them. They are supporting an individual who is committing human rights abuses, and we will not look the other way.”
Pirro wasn’t just going after Chérizier. She was sending a warning to the Haitian diaspora accused of feeding his war chest from abroad: the days of claiming ignorance are over.
‘No Safe Haven’ — Darren Cox, FBI
Then came Darren Cox, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, delivering the muscle of America’s most powerful investigative force. “There is no safe haven for Chérizier and his network,” Cox declared. “We are closing every link, every cell.” Since January, he said, the FBI has arrested three Top Ten fugitives, taken more than 19,000 criminals off the streets, and seized thousands of tons of narcotics — enough to save millions of lives across the U.S.
The FBI’s Miami and Houston offices have already bagged one of Chérizier’s Viv Ansanm associates inside the United States without firing a shot. “These efforts are a deliberate and coordinated plan,” Cox said, “to protect our communities and confront escalating threats from terrorist organizations like Viv Ansanm.”
‘Three-Year Investigation’ — Ivan Arvelo, HSI
Ivan Arvelo, Assistant Director of Homeland Security Investigations, brought the receipts. “This is the result of a three-year investigation into Chérizier’s procurement networks, cash pipelines, and operational financing that violates sanctions,” he explained. Arvelo described 400 structures destroyed, entire communities erased, and a gang exploiting U.S. dollars, technology, and immigration loopholes to keep its killing machine running. “We tracked how Americans unwittingly bankrolled brutality,” he said — proof that the net is tightening both inside Haiti and abroad.
‘The Worst of the Worst’ — Chris Lambert, State Department
Chris Lambert, representing the State Department’s International Affairs division, gave the political bottom line.
“Mass violence in Haiti must end,” Lambert said. “The instability resulting from Chérizier’s actions fuels illegal migration, regional
instability, and transnational crime. We will continue to apply every tool available — including our rewards programs — to stop the spread of unchecked violence, especially to target the worst of the worst criminal leaders threatening the people of our hemisphere.”
Lambert confirmed what many have long known: Chérizier is not just a gang leader. He commands Viv Ansanm, officially designated in May as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In the eyes of the U.S., that makes him not just Haiti’s problem — but everyone’s.
Why Haitians May Not Resist
In Haiti, money talks — loudly. And when you put 655 million Gourdes on the table, it shouts.
That’s the kind of figure that turns casual acquaintances into informants and makes even the most hardened loyalist wonder if the payout is worth more than the risk. It’s not a matter of “if” word gets out, it’s a matter of “who will be first to collect.”
For grieving families, it’s a chance at justice. For the desperate, it’s a chance at survival. For Haiti as a whole, it’s hope — wrapped in the most dangerous of temptations.
An Answer to Prayers
For years, Haiti’s headlines have been a scroll of horrors — kidnappings, executions, burned neighborhoods, bodies in the streets. Chérizier’s name has been attached to too many of them.
This move by the U.S. isn’t just strategy. It’s personal. It’s a signal to every Haitian — at home or abroad — that the days of impunity could be ending.
I’ll admit it: when I heard the news, I danced, I sang, and I nearly cried. Not because $5 million is a lot of money, but because of what it means — the possibility, at last, of stopping the man accused of helping turn Haiti into hell on earth.
Four officials, four angles, one mission: Pirro’s fire, Cox’s grit, Arvelo’s precision, Lambert’s conviction. Together, they’ve put the heat on “Barbecue” like never before.
BBQ is cooked. The only question now is: which one of over 11 million potential informants will serve him up?
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
What would happen if the Caribbean started spending more with Africa?
That question is no longer hypothetical. It’s the vision behind a growing movement that sees the Caribbean not just as a neighbor of the Americas, but as a key partner in the rise of a “Global Africa.” With shared history, deep cultural ties, and emerging trade frameworks, experts say the potential is enormous—if the will to act finally matches the passion of the speeches.
Billions on the Table
Today, trade between Africa and the Caribbean sits at just over US $729 million annually. But the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Afreximbank project that number could balloon to US $1.8 billion per year by 2028—more than doubling in just a few years.
This boost is expected to come not just from commodities, but increasingly from services, particularly in transport, travel, food exports, and creative industries. Two-thirds of that growth, according to analysts, could come from services alone—sectors where the Caribbean is eager to expand. (afreximbank.com).
Meanwhile, Africa’s consumer and business spending is forecasted to skyrocket to US $6.66 trillion by 2030, driven by a population boom and rising middle class.
The Case for a New Trade Axis
The Caribbean imports 80% of its food, but many of those goods can be sourced from African markets. What we offer in return? World-class logistics, tourism know-how, financial services, and proximity to the U.S. market. It’s a natural fit—one that is currently underdeveloped.
The recent call by Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell for a “Global Africa Commission” underscores this urgency. He
urged stakeholders at the Afreximbank Trade Expo to stop the cycle of empty talk and get to work: building shipping routes, finalizing trade agreements, and boosting knowledge of what each region actually has to offer.
“We will not leave here with another communiqué,” Mitchell continued. “We will leave here with a commitment to act, to build together, to trade together, to succeed together and rise together.” The statement underscored a central theme of the summit — that both Africa and the Caribbean can no longer afford to admire the idea of unity; they must operationalize it.Pilot platforms like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) are already simplifying how cross-border payments work between African countries—and could extend to Caribbean partners. The system removes the need for U.S. dollars in trade between African nations, creating space for sovereign empowerment.
What’s the Hold-Up?
Let’s be blunt: political will, slow bureaucracies, and lack of coordination are stalling real action. Despite a decade of “Africa–Caribbean unity” talk, less than 3% of CARICOM trade currently involves the African continent. That fact continues to undermine these brave speeches and ambitious notions.
Where Caribbean Consumers Fit In
Caribbean consumers—especially the younger, tech-savvy generation—are already looking for affordable, ethical, and culturally relevant goods. African markets offer exactly that. Redirecting even a fraction of spending toward African-made clothing, beauty products, tech tools, or agro-processed foods could start a real trade revolution.
Bottom Line
If the political leaders won’t build the bridge fast enough, maybe Caribbean consumers will. The money is there. The interest is rising. Now it’s time to turn the “Global Africa” vision into a real economic shift—one shopping cart at a time.
