Turks and Caicos Islands - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Turks and Caicos Islands, it was derives from the river of the same name; the river's name may come from the Guarani words para (water or river) and guay (born). The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boquerón, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Canindeyú, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
National symbols

Lion.

The flag
The National flag of Turks and Caicos Islands has .
The National Anthem
Title
Lyric/music
More about the government of Turks and Caicos Islands
Date of Independence 14-15 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday Independence Day, 14-15 May (1811) (observed 15 May); 14 May is celebrated as Flag Day
Legal system civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; Supreme Court of Justice reviews legislative acts
International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitution
History Several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992
Amendment process Proposed at the initiative of at least one quarter of either chamber of the National Congress, by the president of the republic, or by petition of at least 30,000 voters; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth yes
Citizenship by descent only at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Paraguay
Dual citizenship recognized yes
Residency requirement for naturalization 3 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state President Santiago PEÑA Palacios (since 15 August 2023)
Head of government President Santiago PEÑA Palacios (since 15 August 2023)
Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Election/appointment process president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple-majority popular vote for a single 5-year term
Most recent election date 30 April 2023
Election results
2023: Santiago PEÑA Palacios elected president; percent of vote - Santiago PEÑA Palacios (ANR) 43.9%, Efraín ALEGRE (PLRA) 28.3%, Paraguayo "Payo" CUBAS Colomés (PCN) 23.6%, other 4.2%

2018: Mario ABDO BENÍTEZ elected president; percent of vote - Mario ABDO BENÍTEZ (ANR) 49%, Efraín ALEGRE (PLRA) 45.1%, other 5.9%
Expected date of next election April 2028
Legislative branch
Legislature name Congress (Congreso)
Legislative structure Bicameral
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 justices divided 3 each into the Constitutional Court, Civil and Commercial Chamber, and Criminal Division)
Judge selection and term of office Justices proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, a 6-member independent body, and appointed by the Chamber of Senators with presidential concurrence; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 75
Subordinate courts Appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Gustavo Alfredo LEITE Gusinky (since 5 September 2025)
Chancery 2209 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC  20008
Telephone [1] (202) 483-6960
FAX [1] (202) 234-4508
Email address and website
[email protected]

Embajada de la República del Paraguay ante los Estados Unidos de América :: The Embassy (mre.gov.py)
Consulate(s) general Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Robert ALTER (since July 2025)
Embassy 1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue, Asuncion
Mailing address 3020 Asuncion Place, Washington DC  20521-3020
Telephone [595] (21) 248-3000
FAX [595] (21) 213-728
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://py.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites 1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue
Key Political parties and their leaders in Turks and Caicos Islands
    • International organization participation
  • CAN (associate)
  • CD
  • CELAC
  • FAO
  • G-11
  • G-77
  • IADB
  • IAEA
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICC (national committees)
  • ICCt
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • IMO
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • IOM
  • IPU
  • ISO (correspondent)
  • ITSO
  • ITU
  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • LAES
  • LAIA
  • Mercosur
  • MIGA
  • MINURSO
  • MINUSTAH
  • MONUSCO
  • NAM (observer)
  • OAS
  • OPANAL
  • OPCW
  • Pacific Alliance (observer)
  • PCA
  • PROSUR
  • UN
  • UNASUR
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNFICYP
  • UNHRC
  • UNIDO
  • Union Latina
  • UNISFA
  • UNMIL
  • UNMISS
  • UNOCI
  • UNOOSA
  • UNWTO
  • UPU
  • WCO
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WTO
    • All Important Facts about Turks and Caicos Islands

    Want to know more about Turks and Caicos Islands? Check all different factbooks for Turks and Caicos Islands below.

    Turks and Caicos Islands is found in Caribbean