Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has vehemently dismissed claims by St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves that her party’s financiers are meddling in the upcoming SVG elections. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Persad Bissessar refuted the allegations, calling them baseless and ironic, given Gonsalves’ family’s involvement in a luxury apartment acquisition controversy in Trinidad. She urged Gonsalves to address his 24-year tenure in power instead of deflecting attention onto her United National Congress (UNC). Persad Bissessar also criticized the trend of Caribbean leaders interfering in neighboring countries’ elections, warning that such actions could destabilize the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The dispute stems from Gonsalves’ accusations that UNC operatives are supporting his political opponents in SVG’s November 27 general election, allegedly motivated by access to land deals. Persad Bissessar denied these claims, emphasizing that the UNC does not engage in such practices. Meanwhile, Gonsalves has reiterated his allegations at campaign events, accusing the UNC of seeking to exploit SVG’s economic growth for personal gain. The controversy has intensified as regional leaders, including those from Barbados and Dominica, have openly supported Gonsalves’ re-election bid, further fueling tensions between the two nations.
Gonsalves calling people greedy is ‘ironic’ — Trinidad PM
