标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The leaders of three member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have pledged their unwavering support to Grenada, regardless of its decision regarding a contentious request from the United States. The US has sought permission to temporarily install a radar system at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) and deploy military assets near the island. This development was discussed at a press conference in Kingstown, St. Vincent, attended by Prime Ministers Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, and Phillip J. Pierre of St. Lucia. Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, has yet to make a final decision on the matter, emphasizing the complexity of the technical and geopolitical considerations involved. The US has been increasing its military presence off Venezuela’s coast, citing efforts to combat drug trafficking. However, critics argue that the radar installation is a strategic move to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Gonsalves highlighted the delicate balance Grenada must strike between economic interests, particularly its reliance on US-based airlines and medical schools, and principles of non-intervention. He affirmed that any decision made by Mitchell would be respected, acknowledging the challenging nature of the situation. The leaders also expressed solidarity with Antigua and Barbuda, which has already declined a similar request. The press conference concluded with the trio endorsing Gonsalves for a sixth term as prime minister in the upcoming general election.

In a recent statement, Commissioner of Police Enville Williams addressed growing public concerns over rising tensions during the election season in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. While acknowledging the right to political expression as a fundamental democratic principle, Williams emphasized that such freedoms must not be weaponized to harm or intimidate others. He firmly stated, ‘No election, no political contest, and no difference in opinion should ever lead us to raise a hand, a stone, or a voice in anger against our fellow Vincentian.’

The statement, titled ‘Commissioner of Police Addresses Political Violence,’ did not cite specific incidents of violence but highlighted the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force’s (RSVGPF) commitment to monitoring and addressing any disorderly behavior with fairness and professionalism. Williams assured the public that the RSVGPF remains impartial, dedicated to upholding the Constitution and protecting all citizens, irrespective of political affiliation.

Reflecting on past instances of political violence, Williams urged citizens to avoid repeating ‘the dark moments of our history.’ He called for unity, restraint, and mutual respect among supporters of all political parties, emphasizing that symbols of democratic choice should unite rather than divide. ‘Let love, not anger, guide your steps,’ he implored, encouraging Vincentians to uphold peace as a collective responsibility.

Williams concluded by reaffirming the police force’s readiness to safeguard the rights, safety, and peace of all residents, while reminding the public that maintaining harmony is a shared duty. ‘Together, let us prove once again that we are one people, under one flag, guided by the spirit of love and unity,’ he said.

St. Clair Leacock, the Central Kingstown MP and a prominent member of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), has accused House Speaker Rochelle Forde of attempting to obstruct two critical questions he submitted to Parliament regarding the government’s handling of public funds. Leacock made these allegations during an NDP campaign event in Campden Park on Tuesday, ahead of the parliamentary session scheduled for Wednesday.

Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves has outlined what he considers the fundamental challenges facing St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 25 years after the Unity Labour Party (ULP) assumed power. Speaking in Calliaqua on Sunday, Gonsalves addressed a controversial statement made by Central Kingstown MP St. Clair Leacock earlier this year. Leacock had argued that the low salaries of MPs, particularly in comparison to public servants, result in inadequate pensions for retired lawmakers—a point Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves agreed with. Leacock, an opposition lawmaker, also noted that his current salary as an MP is less than what he earned as a graduate teacher in the 1980s. The ULP has since used Leacock’s remarks out of context as part of their election campaign strategy. Gonsalves, who is seeking a third term as MP for East St. George, countered Leacock’s assertion, emphasizing that the fundamental issues in the country are not about politicians’ salaries but rather about improving education, healthcare, agriculture, and social welfare. He highlighted the need for better access to education, higher minimum wages, and greater opportunities for young people. Gonsalves also expressed frustration with what he described as ‘backward’ elements in society that hinder progress. As the general election approaches, Gonsalves is expected to face a challenge from Laverne Gibson-Velox of the New Democratic Party (NDP), who is making her second attempt to unseat him. In the 2020 election, Gonsalves won by a narrow margin of 196 votes, down from 607 in 2015. The election is anticipated to take place by November, ahead of the constitutional deadline in February 2026.

Fitz Bramble, Member of Parliament for East Kingstown, has vehemently refuted Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ assertion that St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) would be required to immediately repay EC$800 million in loans to Taiwan if diplomatic ties with Taipei were severed. Bramble, speaking at a New Democratic Party (NDP) community meeting in Layou, dismissed the claim as baseless, stating, ‘I have never seen a loan agreement debated in our Parliament that stipulates repayment in full under any condition. Never!’ He further criticized Gonsalves, accusing him of dishonesty and blaming him for the country’s escalating debt crisis.

In a heated exchange during the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) campaign event in Belmont, East Kingstown MP Fitz Bramble issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, urging him to cease bringing his mother into the political discourse. Bramble’s remarks came in response to Gonsalves’ comments at a Unity Labour Party (ULP) rally in Calliaqua, where the Prime Minister criticized Bramble, 64, for allegedly never building a home and residing with his mother.

In a strategic move during the election campaign, Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves announced a youth-oriented initiative, Youth GATES (Guarantee of Apprenticeship Training, Employment, or Scholarship), at a United Labour Party (ULP) rally in Calliaqua. The programme, aimed at providing opportunities for young graduates in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, mirrors a pledge made by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2023. Gonsalves, seeking a third term as MP for East St. George, emphasized the ULP’s longstanding commitment to youth development since 2001, contrasting it with what he described as the NDP’s unfulfilled promises. He criticized the NDP for failing to address critical issues like housing and education in their campaign rhetoric, accusing them of neglecting the nation’s progress. The minister also warned that an NDP victory could jeopardize ongoing projects, such as the Arnos Vale hospital construction, and sever ties with Taiwan, which supports Vincentian students. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has previously expressed confidence in the ULP’s ability to elevate St. Vincent and the Grenadines to first-world status within 15 years. With general elections anticipated by November, the political landscape remains highly charged as both parties vie for public trust.