The sacred grounds of Dorsetshire Hill, where Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer fell defending St. Vincent and the Grenadines against British forces over two centuries ago, became the stage for a remarkable display of political discord during Saturday’s National Heroes Day commemorations. International Garifuna Council President Trevor Garibali Palacio transformed the solemn wreath-laying ceremony into a platform for startling accusations and confrontational rhetoric that echoed across the mountains overlooking Kingstown.
Palacio’s thunderous address, delivered at The Obelisk monument marking Chatoyer’s death site, appeared to stem from unresolved tensions during the annual international Garifuna Conference held earlier in the week. In remarks that frequently abandoned diplomatic decorum, the leader declared he was not present “for political correctness or political expediency” while launching what many perceived as supercilious attacks against unnamed individuals.
“Let’s not be hypocrites who speak of unity and operate contrary to that,” Palacio challenged at the outset of his controversial speech. He specifically referenced being told to “shut up” during the previous day’s conference, questioning how genuine unity could exist alongside such silencing tactics.
The Garifuna leader directed portions of his address toward Prime Minister Godwin Friday, whose New Democratic Party recently ended 24 years of opposition by securing 14 of 15 parliamentary seats in November’s elections. Palacio expressed disappointment at the absence of former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, suggesting the country’s division and economic struggles stemmed from political tribalism.
In a speech weaving together themes of racial pride, historical acknowledgment, and political commentary, Palacio emphasized his identity as “a Black, dark-skinned indigenous man” who was proud of his heritage. He called for Caribbean Americans and African descendants to express gratitude to the African American community, acknowledging they had “drank the soup of propaganda against our fellows.”
Despite his criticisms, Palacio thanked Gonsalves for acquiring Baliceaux—the uninhabited island where Garifuna people were exiled in the 18th century—noting its tremendous significance to the Garifuna people. He also revealed that the new administration is considering establishing a Garifuna desk, though he noted not everyone applauded this development.
The ceremony took another unexpected turn when Palacio publicly appealed to Chief Sardo (Agustine Sutherland) of the Kalinago people, pleading against allowing individuals to divide their communities. He presented the chief with a symbolic gift—”a knife that cuts asunder division”—while acknowledging Joan Hoyte, President of the SVG Indigenous People’s Association, urging collaboration for the purpose of “retrieval.”
Palacio concluded with the sober acknowledgment that he might never be invited back to SVG for Garifuna celebrations, accepting this potential consequence for speaking his truth at the sacred site where Chatoyer was assassinated “because he could not be bought” and “could not be sold.”