As part of St Kitts and Nevis, a twin-island state sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the sun-kissed territory's relationship with its larger neighbour had become ever more fractious, prompting a push for independence.
The 62 percent vote in favour of secession from St Kitts was resounding - but Nevis failed to become one of the world's smallest independent nations after falling short of the two-thirds majority that was required for the referendum result to pass into law.