Local News
CARICOM’s Commitment to Associate Members Applauded by BVI on 50th Anniversary
The Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Dr. Hon. Natalio Wheatley, has expressed his appreciation for CARICOM’s renewed commitment to the British Virgin Islands and other Associate Members as the regional body celebrates its 50th anniversary.
During CARICOM’s 45th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from 3rd-5th July, the Heads of Government agreed to hold “regular consultations with the Associate Members prior to the Regular July Meetings of the Conference.” This commitment, stated in the meeting’s communique, was one of the primary recommendations arising from a CARICOM special consultation requested by Premier Wheatley.
The consultation aimed to discuss the near and long-term support that CARICOM can provide to Associate Members in terms of their social, political, economic, and sustainable development. The Heads of Government also expressed their desire for Martinique and Curacao to become Associate Members as soon as possible.
Premier Wheatley commended CARICOM’s renewed commitment to its Associate Members, stating, “The Associate Members owe a great debt to the immediate past Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of the Bahamas Hon. Philip Davis, who actively sought to deepen engagement between CARICOM and its Associate Members in strengthening regional cooperation. CARICOM has embraced its entire family, which includes the five current Associate Members of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. They enrich CARICOM and add value in various ways, particularly in areas where they possess expertise or competence, such as financial services. The Associate Members also benefit from the experience of the full Members. I am immensely grateful for CARICOM’s support to Associate Members on its 50th anniversary and eagerly anticipate the inclusion of Martinique and Curacao as Associate Members in the future.”
During the meeting, Premier Wheatley and other Heads of Government engaged in discussions covering trade, food security, regional security, climate change, and international finance, among other topics.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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