Press Release

Organisation: Premier’s Office

Release Date: 5 July, 2026

Premier and Minister of Finance the Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley is away from the Territory from Sunday 5 July, to Thursday 9 July attending the 51st Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM in St. Lucia. 

The Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will be convened in Gros Islet, St. Lucia, from 5 to 8 July, under the chairmanship of the Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, who assumed duties as Chair on 1 July. 

The Opening Ceremony, scheduled for Sunday July 5 at 4.00 pm, featured remarks by the CARICOM Chair; Outgoing CARICOM Chair, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Honourable Dr Terrance Drew and CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett. Heads of Government will participate in business sessions from July 6 to 8 and deliberate issues critical to the Region’s agenda. 

Deputy Premier Honourable Julian Fraser has been appointed to carry out the duties of Premier for the period Sunday July 5 to Thursday July 9 in Premier Wheatley’s absence. 

The Premier is scheduled to return to the Territory on Thursday evening July 9. Deputy Premier Fraser’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier.” 

The Government of the Virgin Islands remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the Territory through strategic international engagement and regional cooperation.