Starting November 15, 2024, the Virgin Islands Sanctions Unit, operating under the Attorney General’s Office, will assume full responsibility for all sanctions-related tasks, including applications, reporting, and inquiries.
This change marks the formal transfer of sanctions powers from the Governor’s Office to the new unit, following a six-month handover process. The move is enacted under Statutory Instrument No 49, granting the Sanctions Unit authority to manage all sanctions-related matters within the territory.
The Virgin Islands Sanctions Unit was first announced in March 2024 as part of a strategy to bolster the territory’s sanctions enforcement amid new global challenges, such as sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The unit also addresses recommendations from the Virgin Islands’ recent Mutual Evaluation Report by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), which highlighted areas for strengthening the territory’s anti-money laundering and sanctions enforcement efforts.
Governor Daniel Pruce expressed satisfaction with the completion of the handover, calling it an example of productive collaboration between the Virgin Islands and the UK Government.
“I’m pleased that the Virgin Islands Sanctions Unit is formally established,” he said. “The last six months has been a great example of the Territory and the United Kingdom Government working together in a collaborative way. The unit demonstrates the commitment of the Virgin Islands to addressing major global challenges like the Russian invasion of Ukraine and human rights abuses worldwide through effective sanctions implementation.”
Attorney General Honourable Dawn J. Smith, now responsible for overseeing the Sanctions Unit, expressed appreciation for the UK Government’s continued support. She looks forward to strengthening sanctions enforcement in the Virgin Islands, emphasizing the role the unit will play in upholding global standards and contributing to international sanctions regimes.
The establishment of this dedicated sanctions authority signals a heightened commitment by the Virgin Islands to align with global sanctions efforts, reflecting both regional and international demands for enhanced regulatory measures in the financial and legal sectors.