Twelve Leaders Celebrated for Shaping the Virgin Islands’ International Relations Landscape

Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, was celebrated for her trailblazing contributions to the Virgin Islands’ international relations and diplomacy during a gala ceremony held at Scrub Island Resort on Oct. 21. The event marked the official launch of Diplomatic Week 2025, hosted by the International Affairs Secretariat (IAS), under the theme “From Island Shores to Global Doors.”

Honourable Smith was presented with the Pioneer Award, the evening’s highest honour, in recognition of her pivotal role in establishing and advancing the Virgin Islands’ global presence during the formative years of its international engagement. From the early 1990s through 2008, she was instrumental in strengthening diplomatic ties, building relationships across London, Brussels, Hong Kong and beyond, and shaping the development of the Territory’s financial services sector.

Currently serving as Junior Minister for Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation, Honourable Smith expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, reflecting on her journey and those who encouraged her to pursue international relations.

“I am deeply humbled by this honour,” she said. “These are very challenging times for us. We are seeing a situation where might seems to be right, and we have to fight against that. Might cannot always be right. In terms of the future, the future for the Virgin Islands in diplomacy is bright.”

Honourable Smith also commended the efforts of the Virgin Islands’ Hong Kong and London Offices in preparing young diplomats for the future, while expressing hope that similar initiatives will expand within the Territory.

The gala also recognised eleven other past and present diplomatic leaders for their distinguished service to the Virgin Islands: Dr. Sandra Besson, Ms. Tracy Bradshaw, Ms. Najan Christopher, Ms. Dwynel Davies, Ms. Elise Donovan, Mr. Kedrick Malone, Ms. Sylvia Moses, Ms. Sherri Ortiz, Honourable Dawn Smith, Mrs. Hadassah Ward-Fraser, and Dr. Ricardo Wheatley.

Acting Director of the IAS, Ms. Dwynel Davies, noted that Diplomatic Week highlights the vital work of those who represent the Virgin Islands internationally.

“Diplomatic Week showcases and deepens our understanding of the vital work that goes into representing our Territory on the international stage,” she said. “International relations and diplomacy are essential tools to build meaningful partnerships, advocate for our unique needs, and share our perspectives with the world.”

Premier Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley also underscored the Territory’s growing voice on the global stage.

“As an international financial center with connections that span continents, it is essential that we continue to represent ourselves and our interests in the global arena—not through others, but with our own voice—as we continue to do now with greater confidence,” he said.

Diplomatic Week 2025 continues throughout the week with activities including the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories Caucus Meeting (Oct. 21–23), a panel discussion on “Our Place in the World: The Evolving Diplomacy of Overseas Territories” on Oct. 22, and school outreach sessions on Oct. 23–24.

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Popular U.S. Virgin Islands artist, Pressure, was robbed at gunpoint early Sunday morning, March 16, after performing at the Black on Black concert, an event headlined by dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel. The incident occurred as Pressure and his entourage walked to their vehicle parked across from First Bank.

Surveillance footage obtained by JTV confirms the robbery, which took place around 3:26 am. The video, now in circulation, captures the moment two armed men exited a white SUV parked in front of the gated parking lot opposite First Bank. The assailants confronted Pressure and his entourage, causing most of the group to flee. One of the attackers then proceeded to rob Pressure, appearing to take what looked like his jewelry, before escaping the scene.

https://www.facebook.com/jtv55/videos/989375819492738

The entire incident lasted about two minutes, after which the video ends with Pressure standing alone by the vehicle he was originally entering, appearing shaken but unharmed as the assailants made their getaway.

“It is unacceptable and highly regrettable that he and others went through this,” the Premier stated. “Crime and violence are not what we want as a society and certainly not the image we want to project to the world.”

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has confirmed that the past weekend was particularly active in terms of criminal activity.

Premier Wheatley reiterated the government’s commitment to working with law enforcement and the wider community to curb criminal activities. A Crime Summit is currently being planned to develop a coordinated response.

“For those individuals who insist on terrorising our community, the police will continue to pursue you vigorously,” he warned. “I also urge members of the public to assist law enforcement by sharing any information that may aid investigations.”

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In his statement, Mr. Willock clarified that he had no involvement in, nor prior knowledge of, the Premier’s decision to dismiss Hon. Lorna G. Smith OBE. He emphasised his friendship with Mrs. Smith and pointed out that, as a member of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and its Third District Committee, he was not consulted or informed about the Premier’s actions.

“To suggest that this was done as a political favor or in support of my alleged candidacy is completely baseless,” Mr. Willock stated. “I have had no discussions with Premier Wheatley, Hon. Julian Fraser, or any of their associates regarding any such matter.”

Mr. Willock urged Ms. Rosan to adhere to responsible journalism by ensuring her publications are grounded in fact rather than speculation. He condemned the report as both defamatory and misleading, asserting that he has made efforts to avoid becoming entangled in what he described as Ms. Rosan’s “vicious attacks” against other Virgin Islanders.

In a final note, Mr. Willock issued a measured warning: “Karma is real. When digging a hole for others, be sure to dig two.”

He also reminded the public of District Three’s upcoming annual Job Fair, scheduled for Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Therapy Works in Hannah’s Bay, Tortola.

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“The Premier in his letter to me cited a lack of support in relation to COI obligations as one of the reasons for my removal. However, if you have followed my work since being sworn in as Minister, it is evident that the accusations hold no merit,” Smith said at her October 23 press conference, held just hours after Wheatley announced via social media that former Virgin Islands Party (VIP) member Julian Fraser had been sworn in as Deputy Premier.

The former Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade revealed that she was notified of her dismissal via a letter received around 8 a.m. while she was at work in her office.

Smith, who won the Territorial-At-Large seat with the National Democratic Party (NDP) in the April 2023 elections, previously switched allegiance to give the Virgin Islands Party a majority to form a government.

A composed former First Lady emphasised that her “record speaks for itself,” noting, “under my leadership, my ministry, along with its hard working team, has met all COI deadlines, fulfilling every obligation within the required timeframe.”

“The Premier’s reasoning is simply untrue, and I believe that it is imperative that he be honest with the people about his true motives rather than fabricating baseless claims.”

Wheatley in his public statement thanked Smith for her service, adding that “I do so with a heavy heart. She did not give me the confidence that she would remain with my administration for the duration of this term.”

The head of the territory added: “This is a necessary change to the composition of the government that provides my administration with political stability and a wealth of knowledge and experience which will serve us well over the course of the remainder of this House of Assembly, political stability is critical at this time to ensure we finalise completion of governance reforms, effectively address the recommendations of the mutual evaluation report.”

At the end of August, Governor David Pruce announced that the government had missed the deadline for implementing key reforms outlined in the 2021 Commission of Inquiry Report, which exposed widespread corruption within the administration.

The CoI was initiated by former Governor Augustus Jaspert in January 2021, and a year later, Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom presented a comprehensive 900-page report detailing significant corruption and recommending a partial constitutional suspension to facilitate essential governance reforms.

But Premier Wheatley in August assured the territory that 45 of the 48 proposed reforms had been completed, promising that the remaining changes would be finalised within a week.

Tensions continue regarding the territory’s political future, as the United Kingdom has warned that failure to implement the reforms could lead to the retention of the Order in Council, potentially resulting in a two-year constitutional suspension.

The former Deputy Premier shared that “despite the difficult economic challenges we face, my focus has always been on strengthening our economy while supporting the government in meeting its obligations.”

She made it clear to Premier Wheatley upon switching sides that “I was here to serve the people of the Virgin Islands, not to serve political interests.

“The truth is I have never wavered in my commitment to the Virgin Islands and its people. When I made the decision to join the government, my singular focus was the continued development of our territory. I was transparent about my intentions then, and I remain steadfast in that mission now.”

“It is exactly what I have done up until this point,” Smith said, highlighting several key achievements during her tenure as Minister, including a successful response to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) mutual evaluation report, the launch of the Financial Services Solution Programme, and the establishment of the First Tomorrow’s Leaders Internship Programme.

She also led a trade mission to Guyana and Asia and co-chaired the UK Overseas Territories Economic Dialogue, the first of its kind.

“My recent efforts, particularly our successful response to the CFATF mutual evaluation report, have been recognised both locally and internationally, and I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Smith said.

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Mrs. Georges, who held the distinction of being the Territory’s first psychologist and mental health/psychiatric nurse, played a transformative role in advancing mental health services. After furthering her education overseas, she returned to the Virgin Islands to establish the Community Mental Health Programme in 1972, an initiative that brought much-needed follow-up care to patients within the community. Her leadership emphasized preventative, continuity, and rehabilitative care, elements that helped the programme gain recognition as a model system by the Pan American Health Organization.

“She was a visionary leader and a passionate advocate for mental health care,” said Dr. Wheatley. “Her influence on healthcare, especially in the mental health sector, has left an indelible mark on our community.”

Mrs. Georges was instrumental in founding the Mental Health Association in 1975 and was a mentor to countless nurses across the Territory. Many nurses recall her as a pivotal figure in their careers, often crediting her with providing them their start and encouraging further education and professional development. As Chief Nursing Officer from 1987 to 1994, she played an active role in regional and international nursing organizations, including the Caribbean Nurses Organisation and the International Council of Nurses, where her advocacy helped elevate the standards of nursing care in the Virgin Islands.

A stalwart in nursing and healthcare, Mrs. Georges served as a founding member of the BVI Nurses Association, where she held several key positions, including president and secretary. Her involvement in the Caribbean Nursing Association further solidified her reputation as a leader and advocate for nurses in the region, steering local nursing practices towards greater effectiveness and professionalism.

Mrs. Georges’ influence extended beyond the Virgin Islands, as her work and advocacy opened numerous doors for nurses locally and abroad. Her efforts to obtain membership in the International Council of Nurses ensured that nurses from the Territory could benefit from global advancements in the field. Colleagues describe her as approachable, deeply caring, and steadfast in her commitment to patient care and higher education.

Even in retirement, Mrs. Georges remained connected to the field she loved, taking a keen interest in ongoing developments within nursing. Her legacy also includes contributions as an editor and writer for various government publications, where she documented the history and progress of healthcare in the Virgin Islands.

Mrs. Georges’ impact on the Virgin Islands was profound and far-reaching, touching lives locally, regionally, and internationally. She is remembered as a dedicated public servant whose work was driven by a passion for excellence and compassion for others.

The Territory extends its heartfelt condolences to her children, Noni and Kamau, her granddaughter, Eden, her siblings, and the extended Frett and Malone families.

Mrs. Rita Frett-Georges’ legacy will endure, her name forever etched in the history of the Virgin Islands as a pioneer in healthcare and a champion for mental health and nursing excellence.

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This marks a step forward in the ongoing efforts to modernise and align the compensation system with industry and international standards.

The journey towards this achievement began with the completion of the Compensation Review and Job Classification report by renowned consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in October 2023. This comprehensive report, submitted to Cabinet on the 8th of November, 2023, served as the blueprint for the overhaul of the public service salary framework.

Deputy Governor Mr. David D. Archer Jr. expressed his gratitude towards the dedicated public officers and consultants involved in the process. “Public Officers are the backbone of our Territory,” he stated, emphasising the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable compensation for their invaluable contributions.

He further highlighted that no public officer now earns below the living wage, a testament to the government’s dedication to fair remuneration.

During the 2024 Budget Address, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, announced the allocation of nearly $10 Million in the budget to facilitate the implementation of the new salary structure. This financial commitment underscores the government’s resolve to prioritise the welfare of its public servants.

The transition to the new salary structure was not without its challenges, but the Office of the Deputy Governor, led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome, ensured a smooth and timely conversion process. Mrs. DaBreo-Lettsome praised the collaborative efforts of the Department of Human Resources and Public Service associations in achieving this milestone.

Looking ahead, the government plans to introduce a revamped allowances and benefits schedule for public officers starting the 15th of April. This initiative aims to streamline compensation distribution and further enhance the working conditions for public servants.

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Heads of Government including Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley of the British Virgin Islands from OECS member states, gathered for the 74th Meeting of the OECS Authority, attended the ceremony. Representatives from the St. Kitts and Nevis Robotics Association were also present.

The aim of the OECS Robotics Association is to unite member states in leveraging robotics and automation technologies for economic growth, educational enrichment, and sustainable development.

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