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  • Inheemse organisaties willen hoger beroep na vrijspraak politiemannen in zaak Pikin Saron

    Inheemse organisaties willen hoger beroep na vrijspraak politiemannen in zaak Pikin Saron

    On July 9, 2026, a coalition of indigenous organizations across Suriname issued a formal call for the nation’s Prosecutor General to launch an appeal against the recent acquittal of seven police officers connected to the 2023 fatal shooting of two indigenous men in Pikin Saron.

    The formal request was submitted via written brief on Wednesday, led by the Inheems Kollectief Suriname (IKSur), and joined by representatives of the victims’ families and a bloc of major indigenous groups, including the Organisatie van Inheemsen in Suriname (OIS), KHOSE, ESAV, Mulokot, ProBios and OAS Romalo Gallego.

    The two men killed in the May 2, 2023 incident, Martinus Wolfiager and Ivanildo Dijksteel, left their families and the broader indigenous community reeling from the verdict handed down on June 30, the organizations confirmed. Judge Cynthia Klein issued full acquittals for all seven officers, who had been charged with using excessive, disproportionate force that resulted in the fatal shootings. The acquittals have sparked deep sorrow, widespread disappointment, and a pervasive sense of injustice among the victims’ next of kin and indigenous communities across the country, the coalition said.

    In their official letter, the groups argue that the gravity of the case and its far-reaching social impact demand that every available legal avenue be exhausted. They maintain that a higher court must re-examine the evidence and the lower court’s ruling to deliver a full, fair review. The coalition emphasized that the appeal is not only a matter of justice for the victims’ families, but also a critical issue for Suriname’s rule of law, the pursuit of truth, and public trust in an independent, transparent judicial system.

    Per the coalition’s announcement, a fully documented legal brief elaborating on the formal grounds for the appeal will be presented to the Prosecutor General next week. Organizations are currently waiting on an official response from the Public Prosecution Service, and will decide whether to hold a public press conference to further outline their position once that response is received.

  • Police Charge Two in Separate Incidents

    Police Charge Two in Separate Incidents

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — In two distinct law enforcement actions across the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, two local residents have been taken into custody and formally charged on separate criminal counts, Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) officials confirmed this week.

    The first case unfolded on July 8, 2026, when officers from the RSCNPF’s specialized Special Victims Unit executed an arrest warrant for Deslyn Prentice-Mullings, a resident of Camella Hancock Street in Ponds Pasture, at the Basseterre Police Station. Prentice-Mullings now faces three separate criminal charges: battery against a serving police officer, obstruction of justice, and use of indecent language in the incident.

    Following the filing of these charges, the RSCNPF issued a public statement reaffirming the critical role of public cooperation in law enforcement work. The force emphasized that uniformed officers carry out their official duties to preserve public order, protect community safety, and enforce the rule of law across both islands, and that compliant engagement with police during lawful operations is a foundational expectation for all residents.

    In an unrelated investigation out of Nevis, officers from the Nevis Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have brought charges against Joel Taylor, a Bath Village resident, for housebreaking and larceny. Taylor was arrested on July 7, 2026, at the Newcastle Police Station while executing a warrant connected to the case. The charges trace back to a break-in and theft reported at Royal Electronics, a retail business located on Main Street in Charlestown, Nevis, which occurred on June 30, 2026.

    As of Thursday afternoon, police have not released additional details about bail status or upcoming court appearances for either defendant.

  • Social media for more than ‘posting and being messy,’ SVGCC grads told

    Social media for more than ‘posting and being messy,’ SVGCC grads told

    At the recent commencement ceremony for over 900 graduates of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), featured speaker Dr. Andrea Veira delivered a compelling call to action, challenging young graduates to rethink how they engage with digital technology and social media. Held under the theme “Tomorrow’s Leaders, Empowered Minds, Limitless Possibilities”, the event became a platform for Veira — a seasoned scholar, educator, researcher and consultant — to reframe digital access not as an entitlement for young people, but as a responsibility tied to collective progress.

    Veira opened by highlighting the unprecedented opportunities that today’s digital landscape offers young Vincentians and Caribbean people, opportunities that previous generations could barely have dreamed of. From massive open online learning platforms and global professional networks to digital entrepreneurship infrastructure, and cutting-edge emerging tools including artificial intelligence, automation, drone technology, robotics, and big data systems, Veira framed these resources as power-building assets for purpose-driven young people. “These are tools for empowered minds,” she told the assembled graduates. “And when used with discipline and purpose, they open limitless possibilities.”

    Against this backdrop of opportunity, Veira pushed back against the trivial, unproductive uses of technology that have become common for many users. She pointed out that far too many people spend their connected time on mindless scrolling, unhealthy social comparison, and spreading online gossip and drama — a habit she described as wasting a once-in-a-generation gift. Rather than accepting passive digital consumption as the norm, Veira urged graduates to regularly pause and reflect on their digital habits, asking the critical question: How am I using these tools to build something meaningful?

    Veira laid out a clear, constructive vision for digital engagement that redefines social media as more than a space for personal display or drama. She encouraged graduates to leverage these platforms to lift up their communities: promoting local small businesses, sharing educational resources with public audiences, celebrating Caribbean culture, and organizing collective action for local issues. This framing positions young internet users not just as passive consumers of online content, but as intentional digital citizens whose online activity can strengthen local economies, build public awareness, and deepen community solidarity.

    Turning to one of the most debated modern technological shifts, Veira addressed the growing integration of artificial intelligence into education and the workforce, urging graduates to approach AI with both ethical awareness and intentionality. She advised that AI should be used to sharpen, not replace, independent critical thinking — a guideline that balances embracing innovation with retaining individual intellectual agency. Beyond AI, Veira encouraged graduates to apply all types of digital technology creatively across key local sectors, from designing climate-resilient agricultural solutions to improving access to healthcare, expanding educational opportunities, boosting sustainable tourism, and supporting community development more broadly.

    Throughout her address, Veira returned to a core principle: digital tools themselves are neutral, but the choices people make about how to use them carry real weight. The key question for young people, she argued, is not whether they engage with the internet, but what purpose that engagement serves. Without a foundation of clear values and purpose, Veira warned, even advanced technical skills can amount to shallow, unproductive output. “The world does not need more qualified people who lack compassion,” she emphasized. “It needs graduates who can combine knowledge with kindness, confidence with humility, and creativity with responsibility.”

    While Veira celebrated the inherent resilience and creativity of Gen Z and millennial generations, she closed by reinforcing that digital tools only deliver true empowerment when they are tied to service, stewardship, and solving real community problems. In her vision, graduates have the power to shape online spaces for good: choosing to move beyond mindless scrolling and comparison, and instead build meaningful, brighter futures for themselves and their entire communities.

  • Gonsalves denies gov’t had to make up cruise ship pier shortfall

    Gonsalves denies gov’t had to make up cruise ship pier shortfall

    A public political dispute has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the financial status of the country’s main cruise ship pier, with opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves pushing back firmly against recent claims from current Tourism Minister Kishore Shallow.

    Shallow recently made public assertions that the cruise ship facility has operated at a net financial loss for the past five consecutive years, placing a sustained drain on public finances that forced the national government to step in with financial support. According to the minister’s official figures, total operating costs for the pier between 2019 and 2023 amounted to 15 million Eastern Caribbean dollars, with only 2023 delivering a modest surplus of EC$266,000.

    But Gonsalves, who leads the Unity Labour Party, has categorically rejected Shallow’s framing of the pier’s finances. In a direct response to the minister’s comments, Gonsalves clarified that any public funds spent in relation to the pier went toward settling outstanding construction debt, not covering ongoing operating shortfalls, as Shallow had claimed.

    Gonsalves emphasized that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority holds full responsibility for managing the pier’s operational accounts, and the central government has never contributed taxpayer funds to cover the facility’s day-to-day running costs. “The government never put any money for the operation of the cruise ship pier as Shallow pointed out. Absolutely not,” Gonsalves stated.

    The opposition leader also provided key historical context to the facility: the cruise ship pier was originally developed and constructed during the New Democratic Party administration led by Sir James Mitchell, not under his own Unity Labour Party government. While Gonsalves acknowledged that the pier suffers from inherent location and design flaws that date back to its original planning, he noted that it has still fulfilled its core function for the country’s tourism and trade sectors.

    Gonsalves recalled that when his Unity Labour Party took office, the previous administration had left outstanding construction arrears owed to the Kuwaiti Fund for the project. In 2002, Gonsalves traveled to Kuwait alongside then-budget director Isaac Solomon to negotiate and settle that outstanding construction debt. That one-time payment is the only public money his administration has put toward the pier, he confirmed.

    Accusing Shallow of deliberately misleading the public to score political points, Gonsalves dismissed the minister’s narrative that the Unity Labour Party had mismanaged the pier and forced central government bailouts for operating costs. “But Shallow typically wants to throw smoke in people eye with something – government run this thing so bad that they had to put money from central government – not true at all,” he added.

  • Thief admits to one offence after CCTV revealed another

    Thief admits to one offence after CCTV revealed another

    A serial thief from Largo Height who targeted the same Kingstown retail outlet twice within a single month had his crimes brought to light after a routine inventory check uncovered a missing audio device, according to court documents from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    Thirty-one-year-old Alex Alexander, who already had a lengthy criminal record centered on theft and burglary offenses, ultimately turned himself in indirectly to the store’s management after the initial theft was detected. The first incident dates back to June 6, when Alexander unlawfully entered the Kingstown branch of furniture and electronics retailer Courts SVG Ltd. and stole a black LG X Boom speaker valued at EC$358.63, which is company property.

    Three days later, on June 9, store staff conducting a scheduled stock count at around 10:15 a.m. noticed the LG speaker was unaccounted for. Ossana Boyea, the branch’s manager, launched an internal probe and pulled closed-circuit television footage from the store’s security system to review. The footage clearly captured a male suspect matching Alexander’s description—wearing a red long-sleeve t-shirt, grey long jeans and a hat—leaving the store with the speaker without processing payment at the checkout.

    Before police could make an arrest in the first case, Alexander showed up at Boyea’s office on July 1 at approximately 3:00 p.m. He confessed that he had stolen a second item from the same store just a day prior, on June 30, and told the manager he wanted to compensate the store for the stolen property. That second stolen item was a grey-and-black Radio Shack speaker worth EC$169, also owned by Courts SVG Ltd.

    After Alexander’s confession, Boyea immediately contacted local law enforcement. Police Constable 1072 Primus responded to the call and launched an official investigation. After discussing the details of the confession with Boyea, investigators obtained a search warrant to search Alexander’s residential property, where they recovered the empty packaging box for the stolen Radio Shack speaker. Alexander did not deny the theft when confronted by officers, admitting that he had taken both devices from the retailer on separate visits.

    Alexander appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamikka McKenzie at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, where he entered guilty pleas for both counts of theft. Handing down her ruling, McKenzie ordered Alexander to pay immediate compensation of EC$169 for the Radio Shack speaker, with a default sentence of three months in prison if the payment was not made. Alexander complied with the order and paid the full amount right away. For that count, McKenzie also handed down a nine-month prison sentence that was suspended for 21 months, meaning Alexander will not serve the jail time unless he reoffends within that period.

    For the theft of the LG X Boom speaker, the magistrate sentenced Alexander to three months of imprisonment. She also ordered that he pay compensation of EC$358.63 by June 15, 2027, with a default sentence of seven months behind bars if the compensation is not paid by the deadline.

    Court records also show that this is not Alexander’s first serious criminal offense. Back in March 2021, Alexander was sentenced to three years in prison for breaking into a fellow villager’s home and stealing property worth more than EC$10,790, adding to a rap sheet that is dominated by theft and burglary convictions.

  • TDC Supports Community Mural Project in partnership with The Caribbean Foundation for Children and the Charlestown Secondary School

    TDC Supports Community Mural Project in partnership with The Caribbean Foundation for Children and the Charlestown Secondary School

    CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – July 9, 2026 – A vibrant new public art piece, dubbed *Floral Elegance*, is bringing new life to downtown Charlestown thanks to a collaborative community initiative bringing together three partners: the St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla Trading and Development Company Limited (TDC Group), The Caribbean Foundation for Children, and the arts department of Charlestown Secondary School.

    Led by experienced art teacher Ashira Hanley, the project centers on student artists from the secondary school’s arts program, who are designing and painting the large-scale mural along a public wall on Main Street. Far more than just a beautification effort, the initiative is built to nurture the next generation of local creators, turning ordinary public spaces into dynamic showcases for Nevisian creativity, cultural identity, and collective civic pride. For participating students, the project offers a rare chance to translate classroom-learned artistic skills into a tangible, public contribution that will benefit the entire community for years to come.

    Ernie France, Head of TDC’s Nevis Operations, emphasized the company’s core belief that supporting youth development requires opportunities that extend beyond traditional school boundaries. “Projects like this do more than build artistic skills,” France explained. “They encourage creative thinking, build collaboration and teamwork, and help young people develop a true sense of ownership over their community. We are incredibly proud to partner with The Caribbean Foundation for Children and Charlestown Secondary School to bring this inspiring vision to fruition.”

    Michael Henville, chair of the foundation’s Nevis Chapter, expressed gratitude for TDC’s material and strategic support, noting that corporate community partnerships are critical to expanding hands-on learning opportunities for local students. “Real-world projects like this mural transform arts education from a classroom lesson into an immersive, meaningful experience,” Henville said. TDC’s contribution of high-quality paint and all necessary painting supplies has removed financial barriers that would have otherwise prevented the project from moving forward. That support, he added, will not only inspire emerging artistic innovation and nurture young local talent, but also make a lasting contribution to Nevis’ social and cultural development.

    The collaborative mural project is fully aligned with TDC’s longstanding institutional mission: to contribute meaningfully to the economic, social, and cultural advancement of the nation. The work was scheduled for completion the same day the announcement was made, July 9, 2026, and is already drawing attention from residents and visitors who pass through the heart of Charlestown.

  • Column: Controverse alom op WK 2026

    Column: Controverse alom op WK 2026

    The FIFA World Cup, football’s most-watched global sporting event, has reached its quarter-final stage, with 48 nations from across every continent having already competed for a spot among the final eight teams still vying for the sport’s most prestigious trophy and a share of the event’s record-breaking prize pool. The outright tournament winner will walk away with a $50 million payout, while the eight quarter-finalists have already secured at least $18 million each – rewards that reflect the event’s scale, and that have kept billions of fans around the world engaged throughout the competition. For many supporters, following the matches has remained an enjoyable shared pastime, full of unforgettable on-pitch moments. But a growing string of unaddressed controversies has cast a deep shadow over this edition of the World Cup, turning what was supposed to be a unifying global celebration into a source of division and public anger.

    The most vocal criticism has centered on inconsistent refereeing decision-making, with similar in-game incidents receiving wildly different disciplinary rulings that have altered the outcomes of multiple high-stakes matches. The officiating during the Group Stage match between France and Paraguay sparked widespread outrage from both neutral fans and former professional players working as analysts for major international news outlets. A controversial red card issued to a United States player also drew global condemnation for the messy, questionable process that followed its issuance. Even more controversy arose during the match between Egypt and Argentina, leaving millions of fans asking publicly whether key matches in this tournament have been pre-arranged behind closed doors.

    Critics have also pointed to the clear blurring of lines between politics and football at this tournament, a direct contradiction of FIFA’s long-stated rule prohibiting political interference in the sport’s governing and competitive operations. Political tensions between member nations have directly harmed players, and the event’s top organizers have been accused of exerting improper influence over refereeing decisions that has resulted in open bias. In one high-profile example, a red card issued for a dangerous reckless foul was overturned entirely following external political pressure, while a yellow card given to another player who committed a foul after being provoked by an opponent was upheld despite a formal appeal from his national federation.

    Compounding these concerns, FIFA appointed an all-Argentine officiating team for the upcoming quarter-final match between France and Morocco, even though Argentina remains an active competitor in the tournament, raising obvious questions about potential conflict of interest that could impact the match’s outcome. Amid the growing wave of controversy, demands have emerged from multiple stakeholders for the removal of FIFA’s sitting president. Far from living up to the idea that sport brings nations and people together, this World Cup has instead deepened division and fueled open hostility between fans and communities. One top international star has already been subjected to verbal and racist abuse by a non-football figure, and in Europe, multiracial players on the Netherlands national team have faced racist comments online after missing penalty kicks that eliminated the team from competition.

    All told, while this World Cup is the largest in the tournament’s history in terms of scale and participation, it has also become the most controversial edition to date. The repeated unaddressed incidents of biased officiating, political interference, and racist abuse have severely eroded the event’s status as a unifying, entertaining global spectacle.

  • Genevieve Smith Foundation Awards Four Potters Primary Graduates in Honour of Late Educator Genevieve “Teacher Gen” Smith

    Genevieve Smith Foundation Awards Four Potters Primary Graduates in Honour of Late Educator Genevieve “Teacher Gen” Smith

    On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the Potters Primary School graduation ceremony held at the Potters Seventh-day Adventist Church became more than a rite of passage for graduating students. It served as a poignant tribute to one of the community’s most revered educators, and a public reaffirmation of the foundation established in her honor to carry forward her life’s work. The Genevieve Smith Foundation, which has supported young scholars at the school for three consecutive years, awarded four standout 2026 graduates with academic scholarships, marking the first round of awards since the passing of the foundation’s namesake and founder, Genevieve Smith – known to generations of students and community members as “Teacher Gen.”

    Teacher Gen passed away on December 11, 2025, leaving behind a 50-year legacy of radical service, compassionate mentorship, and unwavering commitment to educational equity that transformed hundreds of young lives. For decades, she called Potters Primary School her professional home, where she distinguished herself not only as a rigorous and dedicated classroom educator but also as a steady source of love, guidance, and encouragement for every student who crossed her path. Beyond the walls of the school, she opened her home and her heart to scores of vulnerable children in need, fostering, raising, and nurturing dozens of young people throughout her lifetime. Her core belief – that every child, regardless of background, deserves a fair opportunity to pursue their potential – earned her deep respect and enduring affection across the entire community.

    Speaking on behalf of the Smith family and the foundation at the ceremony, J’noure Smith-Kellman, Teacher Gen’s granddaughter, reflected on her grandmother’s extraordinary life and the family’s renewed commitment to advancing her vision of empowering children through accessible, quality education. She emphasized that while the 2026 scholarship cycle carries unique emotional weight as the first held after her grandmother’s passing, it has also strengthened the family’s resolve to protect and grow the work Teacher Gen built.

    “This scholarship programme is our family’s way of ensuring that my grandmother’s legacy lives on,” Smith-Kellman told the gathered crowd of graduates, parents, teachers, and invited guests. “She dedicated her life to serving others, especially children, and she firmly believed that education could transform lives. Although she is no longer with us, her passion for helping young people continues through the work of the Genevieve Smith Foundation.”

    She added, “While this year has been one of tremendous loss for our family, it has also strengthened our resolve to continue what she started. Every scholarship we award is a reminder that her work did not end with her passing. It lives on in every child who is encouraged to pursue excellence.”

    In total, the foundation distributed 2,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars in awards this year, with four individual scholarships of 500 Eastern Caribbean dollars each recognizing students who demonstrated standout achievement aligned with Teacher Gen’s core values. The 2026 recipients included Jerzaria Hamilton, honored as the Top Female Student; Tayzhoni Murrain, named Top Male Student; Zia Roach, recognized as the Most Improved Student; and D’hanna Henry, who received the Exceptional Dedication and Potential Award.

    Smith-Kellman closed her remarks by congratulating all of Potters Primary’s 2026 graduates, urging them to carry the values of hard work and resilience with them as they transition to secondary school. She also extended gratitude and congratulations to the parents, guardians, and school faculty and staff, who work collaboratively to nurture students through their primary education journey.

    Today, the Genevieve Smith Foundation remains fully committed to honoring Teacher Gen’s life and legacy by investing in the educational development of young people at Potters Primary, and celebrating students who embody the values of academic excellence, resilience, kindness, and service that she modeled every day. Through its annual scholarship program, the foundation works to ensure that Teacher Gen’s remarkable, decades-long contribution to local education continues to inspire new generations of young leaders.

  • Sports Minister Encourages National Team Ahead of NACAC Championships in Mexico

    Sports Minister Encourages National Team Ahead of NACAC Championships in Mexico

    As 35 delegations prepared to depart Antigua and Barbuda for the 2024 NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Athletics Championships in Mexico’s Apizaco, the nation’s top sports official has urged the young athletes to carry national pride onto the international track and field stage.

    Minister of Sports and Creative Industries Dwayne George delivered parting remarks to the full contingent at V.C. Bird International Airport on Wednesday, ahead of the three-day competition kicking off July 10. The island nation will field competitive entries in both age-based divisions, pitting its up-and-coming track and field talent against hundreds of top youth athletes from across the North America, Central America and Caribbean region.

    In his address, George emphasized that the honor of representing Antigua and Barbuda extends far beyond individual athletic ambition. Beyond their own personal goals, he told competitors, they carry the support and expectations of their families, coaches, training staff and the entire national population that has cheered them on through months of preparation.

    The minister made clear that while the team arrives in Mexico focused on securing top finishes and medals, the nation’s support for the young athletes does not depend on competition results. “We’re going out to win, but win, lose or draw, we still love you and we’re still here to support you wholeheartedly,” George told the assembled delegation.

    He closed by urging every athlete to push to their absolute maximum potential over the course of the championships, while wearing the national flag with honor and reflecting on the countless sacrifices that coaches, family members and community supporters made to help them reach this international qualifying position.

    “You are doing a good work for Antigua and Barbuda. We love you and we cheer you on,” George added, as the team prepared to board their outbound flights for the high-profile regional youth athletics event.

  • Winair Unveils First Aircraft in Special 65th Anniversary Livery

    Winair Unveils First Aircraft in Special 65th Anniversary Livery

    SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten – July 8, 2026 – A landmark moment for Caribbean regional aviation took place this week, as Windward Islands Airways International (Winair) unveiled the first aircraft in its fleet wrapped in a custom 65th anniversary livery, officially kicking off a 12-month celebration of the carrier’s six-and-a-half decades of connecting communities across the region.

    The commemorative design, applied to one of the airline’s ATR aircraft, features custom anniversary decals that honor the carrier’s historic milestone while reinforcing its longstanding promise to deliver safe, consistent regional air connectivity across the Caribbean. The special branding will be rolled out across the entire Winair fleet gradually over the coming months, turning every flight into a moving tribute to the airline’s legacy that stretches back to its founding in 1961, allowing passengers across its route network to share in the celebration.

    Over 65 years of operation, Winair has grown from a small regional startup into one of the Caribbean’s most influential and enduring airlines, serving as a critical lifeline linking dozens of island communities. Beyond simply moving passengers, the carrier supports nearly every core sector of regional life: from powering tourism growth and enabling cross-border business to facilitating access to critical healthcare services, connecting students to educational opportunities, and keeping geographically separated family members in touch. Today, it operates an extensive island network from its Princess Juliana International Airport hub and maintains key strategic partnerships with major global airlines to offer seamless connections between the Caribbean and the rest of the world.

    As the national airline of St. Maarten, Winair has left an indelible mark on regional economic development. The carrier employs hundreds of local aviation professionals, sustains thousands of indirect jobs across supporting local businesses, and provides the essential air connectivity that attracts foreign investment, enables regional trade, and strengthens cross-island cooperation. Industry analysts note the carrier’s ongoing work remains a core driver of sustainable growth and economic resilience for every island it serves.

    “Watching our first 65th anniversary branded aircraft take to the skies is an incredibly emotional moment for every person who has ever been part of the Winair family,” said Winair Chief Executive Officer Hans van de Velde in a statement marking the launch. “This 65-year milestone isn’t just about how much time has passed. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of generations of Winair employees, the unwavering loyalty of our passengers, and the trust our regional and international partners have placed in us for decades.”

    van de Velde added that the airline is equally proud of its longstanding role in supporting economic progress across St. Maarten and its neighboring islands. “As we mark 65 years of connecting the Caribbean, we remain focused on investing in our future while continuing to deliver the reliable, high-quality service our customers have come to count on from us,” he said.

    The unveiling of the commemorative aircraft is just the first of dozens of anniversary initiatives planned throughout the year. Passengers and community members can expect a full calendar of celebrations, limited-time promotional campaigns, local community engagement activities, and industry events that highlight Winair’s outsized contribution to Caribbean aviation over the past 65 years.

    Looking ahead, the carrier enters its anniversary year with confidence, outlining ongoing investments in expanding its route network, upgrading its fleet, enhancing the customer travel experience, and rolling out innovative service offerings that make regional travel across the Caribbean more accessible and convenient than ever before.

    The launch of the first commemorative aircraft formalizes the start of Winair’s anniversary celebration: a moment that honors the carrier’s foundational legacy, celebrates its present-day role as a regional aviation leader, and reaffirms its commitment to powering the future of connected travel across the Caribbean.

    Founded in 1961, Winair is the oldest continuously operating regional carrier in the Caribbean. It currently serves 17 island destinations from its St. Maarten hub, with a core mission focused on safe, reliable, on-time service that links people, businesses and communities across the region.