In a compelling address on state-owned radio DBS, United Workers Party (UWP) leader Dr. Thomson Fontaine issued a urgent plea to Dominica’s youth population, emphasizing the critical need for peaceful conflict resolution amidst escalating violent crimes on the island nation.
The political leader directed his message specifically toward young males, urging them to reconsider their life choices amid what he described as unnecessary levels of violence. ‘I would like to make a very strong appeal to our young people, in particular to our young men, not to waste their lives away,’ Fontaine stated during his radio appearance. ‘This level of violence that we are seeing is really not called for.’
Fontaine’s intervention comes against a troubling backdrop of criminal statistics, with Dominica recording over 20 homicides throughout 2025—a concerning figure for the Caribbean nation—accompanied by a dramatic increase in firearm-related violence.
The opposition leader proposed concrete alternatives to violence, suggesting that youth should ‘bring in their illegal weapons’ and instead engage in dialogue to address conflicts. He emphasized the broader societal impact of violent crimes, noting that ‘too many families are impacted, too many people are impacted beyond just the people who are involved in the violence.’
Fontaine advocated for a transformative approach to the new year, calling for greater patience and compassion among community members. ‘Let this new year be a part of something different where we can approach our issues and our differences and our problems in a different manner,’ he urged, adding that differences ‘can be done in a peaceful and amicable manner.’
The UWP leader’s message aligns with growing concerns across Dominica regarding youth violence and illegal weapon proliferation, positioning community dialogue as essential to reversing the island’s troubling crime trends.