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Lorna G. Smith Appointed as Territory’s First Minister of State

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Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE, has been appointed as the Virgin Islands’ first Minister of State for Financial Services and Economic Development, marking her return to government after her dismissal in October 2024. The announcement was made by Premier Hon. Natalio Wheatley in a special statement, stressed the need for experienced leadership amid global economic uncertainty.

“These are strange and uncertain times, and we need all hands on deck to manage the global economic headwinds ahead of us,” Premier Wheatley said. “Hon. Smith’s invaluable support during my recent mission to Asia and the international respect she commands in the field of financial services clearly demonstrated that her experience would be best utilized as a member of the Government.”

Smith’s new role comes with significant responsibilities, including oversight of financial services, domestic banking, economic diversification, investment promotion, trade, and consumer affairs. Additionally, she will work closely with foreign governments, international organisations, and stakeholders to ensure the Virgin Islands’ economy remains strong. She will also have direct oversight of the Financial Services Commission, the International Tax Authority, BVI Finance, and the Department of Trade and Investment Promotion.

Smith’s return to government comes just over four months after her abrupt dismissal from her previous role as Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade. At the time, Premier Wheatley cited concerns over political stability, stating, “She did not give me the confidence that she would remain with my administration for the duration of this term.”

Her removal was met with speculation about her political future, especially after she denied reports in early February that she was in discussions to rejoin the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). “It is not true. I continue to serve the people of this territory to the best of my ability as an independent member of the Opposition to date,” Smith said at the time.

Despite this, her return to government signals a shift in political dynamics. Premier Wheatley, in his announcement, acknowledged her expertise as a key asset to his administration. “I am personally pleased to have her back and to have her support,” he said, noting that her new position as Minister of State is a senior role, reflecting her experience and reinforcing her authority when dealing with external stakeholders.

As Smith assumes her new responsibilities, Karl Dawson, the outgoing Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, will step down from his ministerial role but continue as Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly. Wheatley praised Dawson for his contributions, stating, “I commend him for his dedication and commitment to our farmers and fisherfolk.”

Smith’s appointment comes at a critical time for the territory as the government navigates economic challenges, including potential global financial shifts and the impact of international tariffs. In light of these concerns, Premier Wheatley emphasised the importance of a strong economic leadership team. “We will work very closely together to ensure consistency and cohesion of government policy,” he said.

With her extensive background in financial services and economic development, Smith is expected to play a pivotal role in steering the Virgin Islands’ economy toward resilience and growth.

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Chantel Malone Leaps to First Place Amid Headwinds at Tucson Elite Classic:

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Chantel Malone of the British Virgin Islands secured first place in the women’s long jump at the Tucson Elite Classic with a leap of 6.43 meters (21 feet 1¼ inches). The event marked Malone’s third meet of the season, following jumps of 6.63 meters in Miami and 6.58 meters in Atlanta.

“Going into Tucson, I was focused on execution,” Malone said. “I’ve been having a little bit of trouble with my approach, so I really wanted to lock in and get that right. Unfortunately, we had a strong headwind, so it made it difficult to be consistent on the board.”

Despite the challenging wind conditions, Malone expressed confidence in her progress and readiness for the rest of the season. “I don’t think the actual results are a true depiction of where I am physically,” she explained. “Long jump is such a technical sport that the simplest thing can affect the overall jump. Once I connect the dots, I truly believe I will fly.”

Malone is no stranger to overcoming adversity. After a knee injury that required surgery, she has worked to reestablish herself in the international long jump scene. Reflecting on her journey, she added, “As you know, my journey back to sport after injury has been one for the books! I’m just living proof that if you truly believe in yourself and work relentlessly towards your goal, anything is possible. That’s what I hope my journey inspires in others.”

Looking ahead, Malone plans to prioritize health and rediscover her rhythm. “For the rest of the season, the goal is to get back to being me,” she said. “Having fun with the sport. Trusting Jehovah fully. Conquering goals! I think this season should be great once I stay healthy.”

Malone continues to build on her performances as she competes in events across the 2025 season.

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Festival Costs Outpace Revenue Despite $1M Intake, Says Premier

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The British Virgin Islands’ annual cultural festival generated over one million US dollars in revenue last year, but according to Premier Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, that figure was not enough to cover the full cost of staging the event.

“While it’s encouraging that the festival brought in over a million, the reality is that expenses continue to run into the millions,” Dr Wheatley said during a recent appearance on Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, 14 May. “It’s a massive undertaking, and the financial responsibility is shared between government, sponsors, and revenue from ticket sales and other activities.”

The festival, a cornerstone of Virgin Islands cultural life, remains a priority for the government—but not a commercial venture. The Premier was quick to emphasise that the objective is not to generate profit, but to ensure that the event is sustainable and that local vendors and service providers are paid promptly.

“Our role isn’t to make money,” he said. “We want local businesses to benefit. When we charge at the gate or host activities, it’s simply to cover costs and make sure no one is left unpaid.”

This year, government officials are hoping to improve the festival’s management framework by formalising the Festival and Fairs Committee. The Premier confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development is in the final stages of selecting board members, with recommendations expected to go before Cabinet in the coming days.

Among those currently serving are long-standing volunteers, some of whom have applied for official posts on the incoming board. “These are people who have poured their time and energy into making this festival a success year after year,” Wheatley said.

Volunteers currently receive minimal benefits, such as event access, but legislation does allow for stipends to be issued to official committee members. As the structure evolves, Dr Wheatley suggested that further support could be considered for sub-committee leaders who bear significant workloads.

Despite the financial challenges, the Premier remained optimistic about the future of the festival and the community’s enduring commitment to its cultural heritage.

“This is something we do out of love for who we are,” he said. “With better planning and continued support, we’ll keep it alive and thriving.”

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Nyron Erickson Shot and Killed in West End

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Nyron Erickson was shot and killed in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon in  the West End area of Tortola, the British Virgin Islands, in an attack that police say is now the focus of an active investigation.

The 33-year-old, who had been at the centre of a high-profile international legal case, was fatally wounded shortly after 3:00 p.m. on May 10 while riding a scooter in the area.

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), unknown assailants opened fire, striking him multiple times.

Officers responded to the scene and cordoned off the entrance to Zion Hill, near Big Ben’s Gas Station, as investigations began.

The RVIPF confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday, adding that the matter remains under active investigation.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Kenrick Davis stressed that he was alarm at the continued use of violence in the Territory.

“Every life lost to gun violence is one too many. With each incident of this kind, the immediate family members suffer immense loss and grief, but the entire
community also suffers from the resultant vicarious trauma. This trauma is manifested in many ways, including a shared fear of crime, which negatively
impacts the quality of life. We are doing everything we can to solve this instant crime, but there has to be an all-hands-on-deck approach to mitigate gun
violence in the Territory.”

He added: “We are urging the community to come forward with any information, no matter how small, that may assist us in identifying and bringing those
responsible to justice.”

An unverified video circulating on multiple social media platforms in the BVI appears to show the moment of the shooting, with armed assailants firing
several rounds from a moving vehicle. Police are yet to officially comment on the authenticity of the footage.

Erickson’s death brings a sudden and violent close to a complex legal saga that extended across BVI, United States Virgin Islands
(USVI), and the United Kingdom (UK).

His legal challenges began in August 2019, when a federal grand jury in St. Thomas, USVI, indicted him over an alleged conspiracy in 2018 to transport
$130,000 in suspected drug proceeds from Tortola to the USVI via ferry.

An arrest warrant was issued in the United States on January 17, 2020, followed by a local warrant from the RVIPF in February. Erickson remained at large for several months before voluntarily surrendering to authorities on August 30, 2020.

He was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison on Tortola and spent more than two years contesting extradition to the US. His appeals ultimately failed before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council—Tortola’s highest appellate court—and he was extradited on February 27, 2023.

In the USVI, he was charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and the unlawful transportation of funds into the United States. However, the case fell apart, and federal prosecutors dropped the charges after six months.

Upon his return to the BVI, Erickson was arrested again on September 20, 2023, moments after disembarking a ferry in Road Town. Five days later, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) filed 21 charges against him, including possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of cocaine and cannabis, and money laundering.

Erickson strongly challenged the prosecution’s evidence. The Crown relied heavily on WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged between Erickson and co-accused Jose Almestica, along with forensic voice analysis reports and witness testimony.

His defence team argued that the WhatsApp messages and related reports constituted “hearsay upon hearsay” and lacked sufficient legal or expert foundation. They further disputed the credibility of a witness who claimed to identify Erickson by the aliases “WestBank” and “BandSpatron”, asserting that the evidence was inadmissible and unreliable.

Citing multiple precedents from UK appellate courts and the Privy Council, the defence insisted that extrajudicial statements, particularly those from a co- accused, should not be used to implicate their client.

Erickson was quietly released from custody and remained in the Territory at the time of his death. The DPP has not publicly shared the status of his case to date.

As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been announced. Police urge the public with any information to make contact. Meanwhile, inquiries into the fatal shooting are ongoing.

 

 

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