Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has refuted claims suggesting that the Virgin Islands’ decision not to sign the CARICOM Free Movement Agreement among CARICOM nationals indicates a lack of support or disrespect towards our Caribbean brothers and sisters. He emphasised that the Virgin Islands remains fully committed to regional integration. Photo:Facebook

The Virgin Islands is actively pursue full CARICOM membership. Photo: Internet source

He emphasised that the Virgin Islands remains fully committed to regional integration.

Hon. Wheatley made this clarification during his first press conference on Friday, March 6, 2026.

"Let me say, first of all, that some persons interpret that as a lack of support or disrespect to our Caribbean brothers and sisters. No, it is not. No, it is not. We are fully committed to the regional integration project. We are fully committed and respectful of our brothers and sisters from various Caribbean islands," he emphasised.

VI wants to become full CARICOM member 

The Premier previously indicated that the Virgin Islands will actively pursue full CARICOM membership following the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis in February 2026. 

During Friday’s press conference, he pointed out that the Virgin Islands has more nationals from Caribbean islands than any other country. 

"I would challenge any country in the Caribbean to show me where there are more Virgin Islanders in their country than members or nationals from their country in the Virgin Islands. I would challenge any country on that."

VI will not participate in free movement 

In an interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), referencing an article by Virgin Islands News Online, the Premier noted that full membership for the Virgin Islands will differ from that of an independent sovereign country. As a result, signing on to the freedom of movement aspect is one area in which the Virgin Islands will not participate; however, it remains committed to regional integration.

"We are deeply committed to regional integration. Persons who have come from other countries have enriched the Virgin Islands through their skills, through their contributions to our community, their community service, and otherwise, and over 70% of our workforce is from outside of the Virgin Islands," he pointed out.

'Is not a lack of support for CARICOM, OECS, or regional integration'

The Premier stressed that the Virgin Islands’ decision not to sign the agreement should not be misinterpreted as a lack of support for CARICOM, OECS, or regional integration. "So persons should not interpret the fact that we do not want freedom of movement, meaning persons being able to move in an uncontrolled way, as a lack of support for CARICOM, for OECS, or for regional integration,’’ he emphasised.

Dr Wheatley explained that, given the Virgin Islands’ status as a small territory with limited resources, it is essential to manage the flow of individuals into the territory. "We are a small territory, with finite resources, we have to be able to manage the flow of persons into the Virgin Islands, because if we do not do that, what we have in the Virgin Islands will not just be spoiled for Virgin Islanders, it will be spoiled for everybody who comes here to live and work," he warned.

Four countries have already signed the CARICOM Free Movement Agreement: Dominica, Barbados, Belize, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

The Virgin Islands joined CARICOM as an Associate Member in July 1991.