Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has refuted allegations of attempting to transfer the Canouan land lease to investor Ian Wace, who reportedly contributed $25 million to recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl in July 2025. The dispute centers on the leaseholder, Andrea Pignataro, a billionaire with whom the government has been at odds since 2023 due to stalled land sales since 2017, depriving the government of revenue. Gonsalves accused the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) of siding with Pignataro, framing the issue as a key point in the upcoming November 27 general election. On October 24, Gonsalves sent a letter to Pignataro offering EC$36.5 million for the remaining leased land and proposed a meeting to discuss the offer. He assured that the government would cover employee salaries if the developers took adverse actions. Gonsalves emphasized that the government does not intend to manage the resort but seeks a resolution in the public interest. The prime minister framed the election as a choice between his administration, which prioritizes the people, and the NDP, which he claims supports the developers. Gonsalves also highlighted historical criticisms of the 99-year lease signed by the NDP in 1990, which granted investors control over two-thirds of Canouan. Despite initial cordial relations with investors, Gonsalves has recently voiced concerns over limited revenue and access issues for locals. The Canouan Jetport, closed for night flights, remains a contentious issue, with the government facing calls to invest $40 million in its rehabilitation.
PM says he’s not trying to give Wace Canouan land lease
