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
Virgin Islands Avoids Direct Rule Through Sweeping Governance Reforms

Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has credited the British Virgin Islands’ commitment to sweeping governance reforms for avoiding direct rule by the United Kingdom, a critical moment in the Territory’s political history.
Speaking in the House of Assembly, Premier Wheatley highlighted the dedication of public officers who were instrumental in implementing the necessary reforms to preserve local self-governance.
“The period challenged us as British Virgin Islanders to the core and forced us to confront some harsh realities of our governance deficiencies,” Wheatley said. “We had to make the choices necessary to uphold the values imparted to us by our fore parents. We had to defend who we are as a people and protect our future aspirations.”
The reform process, initiated in response to the 2022 British Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report, required the establishment of new structures, processes, and procedures to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust. Despite these challenges, Wheatley praised the resilience of public officers who managed both the reforms and their regular duties under demanding conditions.
“Our public officers developed and implemented the structures, processes, and procedures necessary for the reforms while simultaneously managing daily operations,” he said. “This was especially challenging given the systemic conditions highlighted in the COI Report.”
The Government’s recently submitted Self-Assessment Report to the UK is a critical component in determining whether the Order in Council to partially suspend the British Virgin Islands Constitution will be lifted.
Wheatley expressed optimism that the Territory is now on a path toward greater self-governance, supported by a newly approved Governance Reform Transition Plan, which outlines the next steps in the ongoing transformation.
“Today is a day we should all applaud,” Wheatley said. “It symbolizes our collective resilience and commitment to the ideals that make us British Virgin Islanders and commits us to the pursuit of self-determination.”
Health
Virgin Islands Centenarian Receives First $10,000 Grant Under New Government Program

Mrs. Esmie Estene Turnbull-Stoutt has become the first Virgin Islander to receive the newly enhanced Centenarian Grant of $10,000, introduced by the Government of the Virgin Islands to honor residents who reach the milestone age of 100.
This significant update to the Centenarian Grant, which doubles the previous amount of $5,000, reflects the Territory’s commitment to recognizing the invaluable contributions of its senior citizens. The grant increase was recently approved by the Cabinet as part of broader efforts to support the aging population.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley, praised Mrs. Turnbull-Stoutt for reaching this remarkable milestone, emphasizing the impact of her life and the legacy of her generation.
“Mrs. Turnbull-Stoutt, like many of our centenarians, has played a vital role in shaping the Virgin Islands through her wisdom, hard work, and unwavering commitment to community and family,” Minister Wheatley said.
He further commended the Social Development Department for its efforts to honor seniors, adding, “As people live longer, it is essential that they also live better — with dignity, a sense of purpose, and the full support of their families and communities.”
The Virgin Islands is currently home to seven other centenarians:
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Mrs. Enelle Smith, 106 years
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Mrs. Emogene Creque, 105 years
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Mrs. Betty Yates, 103 years
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Mrs. Floresa George, 102 years
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Mr. Evelyn Hodge, 101 years
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Mrs. Iris Harrigan, 101 years
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Mrs. Christeen Hodge, 101 years
The Ministry of Health and Social Development remains dedicated to improving the well-being of seniors and ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve for their lifelong contributions to the Territory.
International
Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago Elected as Pope Leo XIV

– First American Pontiff in Catholic Church History
The College of Cardinals has elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time an American has ascended to the papacy in the Church’s two-millennia history.
The announcement came at 6:07 p.m. local time, when white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the successful conclusion of the conclave’s fourth ballot. Shortly thereafter, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti proclaimed the traditional “Habemus Papam” from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Appearing before a jubilant crowd in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV offered his first apostolic blessing and addressed the faithful with a message of peace: “Peace be with all of you! I want this salute of peace to enter your heart, reach your families, and all people, and all the peoples, and the whole world.”
Born in Chicago in 1955, Robert Prevost is a member of the Order of St. Augustine. He spent decades serving as a missionary in Peru, where he taught theology and held various administrative roles within the Church. In 2023, he was appointed to lead the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops, a position that placed him at the heart of the Church’s global leadership.
Pope Leo XIV’s election is seen as a unifying choice amid ideological divisions within the Church. His background reflects a commitment to inclusivity and dialogue, values that align with the synodal approach emphasized by his predecessor, Pope Francis. In his initial remarks, Pope Leo XIV expressed a desire for a Church that is “engaged with the modern world and always looking for peace, charity and being close to people, especially those who are suffering.”
The new pontiff faces a range of pressing challenges, including fostering unity within a polarized Church, addressing global conflicts, and continuing efforts to reform Church governance and address past abuses. His leadership will be closely watched as he navigates these complex issues.
Pope Leo XIV’s election has been met with congratulations from leaders around the world. U.S. President Donald Trump lauded the historic moment, stating, “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our … .”
As the Catholic Church enters this new chapter under Pope Leo XIV’s guidance, the faithful and observers alike look forward to the direction he will set for the global community of believers.
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