News
Premier Wheatley mobilises key stakeholders in response to US tariff threat
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), on April 7, 2025, convened urgent high-level discussions with major industry stakeholders in a move to protect the Virgin Islands' economy from the ripple effects of newly-imposed tariffs by the United States Government.
OECS leaders close ranks to collectively stave off new global tariff threats
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has reaffirmed the Virgin Islands’ commitment to regional collaboration and food security, following his return from the 76th meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority in Saint Martin.
Hon Lorna Smith hits back @ Premier over firing
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Opposition Member Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) has shared via her Facebook page today, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, her official response to her termination notice as Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade in late October 2024.
'I'm not into mudslinging but will respond to untruths'- Premier Wheatley
EAST END, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said while he is not into mudslinging, he will surely respond to untruths spoken about himself or the Virgin Islands Party (VIP).
VI practises earthquake & tsunami response
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Students, first responders and other residents of the Virgin Islands joined the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America to practise the safest way to respond in case of an earthquake and tsunami as part of Caribe Wave.
VI concerned with growing COVID-19 infection rates in nearby countries
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- “We observe, with concern that the rates of infection are steadily increasing in neighbouring jurisdictions and in countries that have close ties with the Virgin Islands.”
Preparing ourselves before COVID-19 reaches the VI
Alred C. Frett
As the World spins on its head:
What we don’t know is hurting us more than what we know… Churches and schools closed from teaching and preaching, persons anxious to work for an honest living are denied access to job sites, death tolls are rising but mourners are prohibited from attending funerals, world leaders are falling within the target zone and the young are basking in carelessness… World powers are weakened.
VI closes all airports & seaports to inbound passengers!
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As the Government of the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) intensifies its response to the global pandemic, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), all airports and seaports in the Territory of the Virgin Islands will be closed to inbound passengers for 14 days, effective 11:59 pm, Sunday, March 22, 2020.
I can’t say I’m in favour of a state of emergency ‘right now’ – Hon Penn
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On the heels of US Virgin Islands (USVI) Governor Albert Bryan Jr declaring a state of emergency to mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the USVI on Friday, March 13, 2020, Opposition Leader Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) said he is not in favour of the Virgin Islands (British) doing the same.
First case of Coronavirus confirmed in USVI
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- The US Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Health late Friday, March 13, 2020, announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19 disease, the new coronavirus. The territory’s first case is a resident with some recent international travel history to one of the five locations with widespread transmission of the disease.

