Local News
124 Individuals including Billionaire Richard Branson Sworn in as British Overseas Territories Citizens of the Virgin Islands

In a momentous ceremony held at the Government House, a total of 124 individuals have officially become British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) of the Virgin Islands. Divided into two groups, the new citizens took the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty, solidifying their commitment to their new status.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of esteemed individuals, including His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin, CMG; Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley; and Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro. Each took the opportunity to congratulate the new citizens and offer their words of encouragement.
Governor Rankin expressed his delight in being a part of such a significant event, emphasizing that the ties formed through this process would endure for a lifetime. He highlighted the enriching nature of becoming a BOTC, stating that both the individuals and the Virgin Islands as a whole would benefit from the intermingling of cultures, diverse perspectives, and varied skills brought by the new citizens.
Premier Wheatley, in his address to the new citizens, called upon them to be “champions of unity.” He emphasized the shared love for the Virgin Islands that binds them together, along with the commitment to preserving the environment, upholding the Territory’s values, and extending a helping hand to those in need within the community. The Premier urged the new citizens to epitomize the principle that the BVI is worth protecting and defending, striving to make the islands the best they can be.
Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro, reminded the new citizens of their responsibility to represent the Territory in a favorable manner through their behavior, conversations, and actions. She further outlined their civic duties as citizens, emphasizing the importance of obedience to those in authority and serving the community, particularly the less fortunate. Mrs. O’Flaherty-Maduro encouraged the new citizens to become active participants in civic or community organizations, urging them to become valuable members of society.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the lives of these 124 individuals, as they officially became British Overseas Territories Citizens of the Virgin Islands. With their commitment and dedication to their new status, they are poised to contribute positively to the community and play an active role in shaping the future of the Virgin Islands.
As these new citizens embark on their journey as BOTC, the Virgin Islands celebrates their inclusion and looks forward to the many contributions they will make to the Territory.
The 124 new BOTCs are:
Marie Popo Andrew
Alfred Anthony August
Jean Delice Avril
Israel Bahadoor
Sachkia Shimmay Barnes
Kathy-Ann Valancia Bell
Angel Rafael Brown Valdez
Dolores Maria Valdez De Brown
Natasha Chavonne Pollard-Butler
Kenster Bede Charles
Ella Sketha Christopher
Cyrus Llewella Claxton
Alphonzo Alexander Davis
Junior Douglas
Kathy Natelle Patrice Barnwell-Edwards
Chandainie Mohanlall-Fahie
Antonio Ferreira
Vernette Dominique Glasgow
Tiffany Timauli Kayla Grant
Arleen Camelia Harris
Herlen Marjorie Hazell
Karen Cecelia Whyte Howell
Nigel George Howell
Dave Andrew Jardine
Mark Anthony Jeffers
Zoe Sandra Joseph
Monique Alinda John-Latchman
Yvonne Anesta McKenzie-Manning
Kamlapattie Beer-Maywahlall
Ravindra Maywahlall
Kareen Georgia McLeod
Sharon Mitchel
Everton Edward Morgan
Reanell Antoinette Jones-Phipps
Edna Veronica Profitt
Parbattie Ragnauth
Saran Asha Samuel
Nestor Julio Ramirez Santana
Barbara Cecile Pinnock-Smith
Rosalyn Card Smith
La Selle Vennie Toney
Hixford George Tyndale
Ahelia Devi Turnbull
Gladys Mae Walters
Judith May Williams
Alastair Guy Abrehart
Claire Louise Abrehart
Alberto Ovalles Almonte
Michel Shamalia Ambrose
Catherine Anselm
Corine Audain
Hemraj Ballie
Nirmatie Ballie
Richard Nicholas Branson
Cargil George Brown
Ioni Millicent Green-Brown
Rafael Leonidas Brown
Benjamin Stokes Butler
Shaunette Saemaire Akeema Mills Byron
Kervin Hutton Carter
Ian William Clark
Josette Sophia Dixon- Cooper
Nigel Maurice Cooper
Gary Patrick Cottreau
Hilario Ubiera Crispin
Carmen Rosario Rosario De Davies
Alene Sharon Elizabeth Daway
Laura Agnes Dore
Adenike Marie Sicard Flax
Suzette Nichola Frett
Celma Verona Gordon
Joan Winifred Gordon
Camiane St.Albourne Grange
Mc Donald Guiste
Don Carlos Kem Hadaway
Verelyn Lavern Hamilton
Roselyn Bethune Hart
Ruth Karon Joslin Hazell
Joan Pamella Hooper
Michael Hypolite
Pauline Genevieve Hypolite
Leroy Joseph Isaac
Nadine Melissa Isaac
Violet Veronica Jackson
Mervin Eversley Jacobs
Rosanna Elitha Jacobs
Robert James
Sherry-Ann Carita Virginia James
Hermia Joseph
Thile Douchel Joseph
Richard Kissoon
Francess Veronica La Touche
Vernon Larocque
Renee Kimona Manning
Steadroy Anthony Matthew
Phoebe Dawn Sharon Murrell
Ann Marie Banner- Palmer
Arcadia Belen De Paul
Christianne R. S. Pecanha
Skeetroy Ezekiel Vernon Percival
Rem-Jermyn Patricia Prince
Jimron Jade Purcell
Ganga Raghunath
Sunita Raghunath
Cecelia Ramtool
Dennis Visham Ramtool
Judith Ann John Robinson
Jamacie Thrisanne Rodney
Venice Viola Samuel
Alithia Adams-Scott
Himwant Seenarine
Lowattie Seenarine
Dharmamati Shevdyal
Florenda Nuevas Ruffell Smith
Michael Smith
Rabindranath Sookraj
Avril Veronica Stoddard
Janet Phillipa Cupid-Stoutt
Patricia Angela Ann-Marie Thomas
Jevon Valester Tyson
Bernadine Avalina Valrose
Anji Veta Walters
Christiana Asson-Williams
Thelma Wiltshire
Local News
Caribbean Leaders Call for Stronger Regional Cooperation Amid Global Trade Shifts

As international trade policies undergo seismic shifts, Caribbean leaders are urging a renewed commitment to regional cooperation to safeguard economic growth and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In a recent bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 8th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, British Virgin Islands Special Envoy Benito Wheatley and Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), H.E. Ambassador Noemí Espinoza Madrid, underscored the urgent need for deeper collaboration among Caribbean Basin nations and territories.
The two officials emphasized the pivotal role of the ACS in uniting its 35 Member States and Associate Members, facilitating development partnerships, and spearheading regional integration. With global trade realignments posing new challenges, both Wheatley and Espinoza highlighted the organization’s value in promoting sustainable growth through shared policy and strategic coordination.
“The ACS has an extremely important role to play at this time in mitigating the impacts of international trade policy on Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Wheatley. “The organisation is well positioned to facilitate closer cooperation across the Caribbean Basin with its strong focus on sustainable tourism, transport, disaster risk reduction, preservation of the Caribbean Sea, trade, and economic external relations.”
Ambassador Espinoza reiterated her commitment to a “successful, vibrant and sustainable Greater Caribbean,” aligning with a broader call for increased South-South and triangular cooperation — models that leverage partnerships among developing countries and external partners — to address pressing developmental challenges.
Wheatley reaffirmed the British Virgin Islands’ support for the ACS, noting that closer collaboration across the region would be essential in weathering economic uncertainty. He pointed to the upcoming ACS Summit in Cartagena, Colombia, as a critical opportunity to “redouble efforts” toward collective regional resilience.
The high-level meeting in Santiago gathered policymakers from across the hemisphere to assess progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. But behind the scenes, the discussions between Wheatley and Espinoza added another layer of urgency — one that reflects the growing consensus that the Caribbean must act in concert to protect its future.
As nations navigate a shifting global trade landscape, the message from Santiago is clear: the Greater Caribbean’s strength lies in its unity.
Local News
Team BVI Joins the Festivities at Carifta Games Opening Ceremony

With flags raised high and spirits even higher, the 52nd CARIFTA Games officially opened this afternoon at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) delegation joined over 20 participating nations in a vibrant and colorful opening ceremony that signaled the start of three days of premier youth athletics in the Caribbean.
Team BVI, who departed the Territory on Thursday, April 17, arrived eager and ready to compete for podium finishes, national records, and personal bests. Accompanying the team are Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sharie de Castro, along with coaches, officials, BVIAA executives, and proud parents.
The BVI Delegation includes:
Athletes: Antuan Maduro, Andre Allen, Sam’Asia Leonard, Macayla Logan, McKenzie Crabbe, Jameila Chambers, Shyra Stoutt, Ty’Rique “TyTy” Charles, J’Den Jackson, Othniel Gillings, A’Sia McMaster, Kijana Callwood, Makeda Christopher, Romeena Davis, Jahrime Allen, Latriel Williams, Jah’Kyla Morton, Deneil Clarke, Tiondre “Dre” Frett, Jabari Pemberton, Mario Carter, Jaheem Lennard-Joseph, Lashawn Gibbs, Shannia Johnson
Officials and Support Staff: Minister Sharie de Castro, Coach Winston Potter, Shaumal Donovan, BVIAA President Steve Augustine, BVIAA General Secretary Stephanie Russ Penn
The 2025 Games, running from April 19–21, mark the return of the competition to Trinidad and Tobago for the first time since 2005. Expectations are high as the region’s top junior athletes gather to compete in track and field events, with powerhouses like Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Barbados already making strong impressions in preliminary sessions.
This year’s campaign builds on Team BVI’s impressive showing in 2024 at the CARIFTA Games in Grenada. M’kenzii Crabbe made headlines with a 12.40-second finish in the Girls U17 100m heats, while Tiondre “Dre” Frett captured bronze in the Boys U20 200m with a time of 22.18 seconds—highlighting the BVI’s growing strength on the regional athletic stage.
Team BVI is ready to make their mark on Caribbean athletics once again.
Local News
BVI and Dominican Republic Explore Caribbean Economic Hub to Boost International Trade

As global supply chains continue to face mounting pressure from economic uncertainty, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Dominican Republic have initiated high-level talks on the potential development of a regional economic hub to strengthen international trade across the Caribbean.
In a bilateral meeting held on the margins of the 8th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, British Virgin Islands Special Envoy Mr. Benito Wheatley met with Dominican Republic Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Hugo Francisco Rivera Fernández. The talks took place in Santiago, Chile between March 31 and April 4.
Central to the discussion was the role of the Dominican Republic as an emerging economic linchpin in the Caribbean. Vice Minister Rivera emphasized his country’s expanding trade and transportation infrastructure, noting its strategic connections to North America, Central America, South America, and Europe. He outlined how these networks could offer valuable opportunities for smaller Caribbean economies—such as the BVI—seeking to diversify their trade relationships and enhance resilience amid global market volatility.
Mr. Wheatley echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation and the potential for closer commercial ties. “It was a pleasure to engage with Vice Minister Rivera to continue BVI-DR discussions on strengthening economic cooperation,” said Wheatley. “The impressive economic growth and development of the Dominican Republic over the past decade has seen the country emerge as a critical economic hub in the Caribbean. As a close neighbour, the British Virgin Islands can benefit from the Dominican Republic’s regional and international trade and transportation links.”
As part of the evolving dialogue, both parties discussed the possibility of a formal trade mission from the BVI to the Dominican Republic, aimed at laying the groundwork for expanded bilateral commerce.
The talks mark a strategic step forward in Caribbean regional integration, underscoring how small and mid-sized economies are working together to navigate global economic headwinds and build sustainable trade partnerships.
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