标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The government of Antigua and Barbuda has successfully negotiated a significant agreement with the United States that protects visa privileges for its citizens despite recent immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. The breakthrough came after high-level diplomatic discussions between Antiguan officials and U.S. State Department representatives.

Under the terms confirmed by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, all currently valid U.S. visas held by Antiguan nationals will remain honored for entry into the United States. This protection extends across all visa categories including tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F, M), and exchange visitor (J) visas. Additionally, the agreement guarantees that no existing visas issued to Antiguan citizens will be revoked before December 31, 2025.

The diplomatic resolution follows President Trump’s recent executive order that had targeted several Caribbean nations offering Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs. The proclamation, issued on December 16, specifically identified Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica for suspension of certain immigration categories due to security concerns regarding their residency-free citizenship programs.

The U.S. administration expressed apprehension that CBI programs could potentially allow individuals from restricted countries to obtain citizenship from Caribbean nations and subsequently bypass U.S. travel restrictions. Officials cited historical vulnerabilities in such programs that might enable concealment of identity or assets.

Looking beyond 2025, both governments are developing new arrangements that will include enhanced biometric data collection systems for Antiguan passport holders. Ambassador Sanders emphasized that the technological upgrades would apply uniformly to all citizens regardless of how they obtained citizenship—whether by birth, descent, naturalization, or investment.

The diplomat expressed appreciation for the constructive engagement from U.S. officials and reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to cooperating on security measures while preserving legitimate travel opportunities for its citizens.

Prime Minister Godwin Friday has confirmed that the majority of public servants in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will receive a bonus equivalent to one month’s salary in January. The announcement came during a kerbside interview in Kingstown, where the Prime Minister addressed the implementation of his administration’s pre-election commitments.

The bonus payment, part of the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) 60-day pledge following their landslide victory in the November 27 general election, will be structured to provide greater benefits to lower-income civil servants. “The salary bonus will come. We are working out the mechanics of it,” Friday stated, emphasizing that the government remains committed to fulfilling its campaign promise within the stipulated timeframe.

The Prime Minister’s announcement comes amid public debate regarding discrepancies in campaign pledge cards circulated before the election. While one version promised a double salary within one month of taking office, another referenced a “bonus salary” within 60 days. The NDP’s decisive victory, winning 14 of 15 parliamentary seats, ended 24 years of Unity Labour Party governance.

Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves has characterized the bonus promise as a “big deception,” reflecting the political tensions surrounding the implementation of campaign pledges. The government has also delivered on another election commitment by implementing the country’s first VAT-free shopping day, demonstrating its ongoing efforts to fulfill campaign promises.

In a significant political development, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP) has initiated legal proceedings contesting the parliamentary eligibility of two senior government figures. On Friday, the party filed formal election petitions questioning the validity of Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s representation for Northern Grenadines and Foreign Minister Fitz Bramble’s position as East Kingstown MP.

The petitions, formally submitted by ULP candidates Carlos Williams (Northern Grenadines) and Luke Browne (East Kingstown), center on constitutional provisions regarding foreign allegiance. The challenge specifically cites Section 26(1) of the nation’s Constitution, which prohibits individuals ‘under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state’ from holding parliamentary office.

The core argument maintains that both Friday and Bramble hold Canadian citizenship, which constitutes voluntary allegiance to a foreign state. The documentation notes that both politicians applied for and obtained Canadian citizenship voluntarily, subsequently using Canadian passports. This, according to the petitioners, creates an automatic constitutional disqualification despite their electoral victories in the November 27 general election.

The controversy predates the recent polls, with formal objections being lodged during the nomination process on November 10. Pre-election notices circulated in media outlets warned constituents that voting for either candidate would constitute ‘a wasted vote’ due to their purported ineligibility.

Legal opinion appears divided on the matter. Prominent Vincentian jurist Linton Lewis, though previously associated with the ruling New Democratic Party, has supported the validity of the challenge. Conversely, legal scholar Jason Haynes contends that the SVG Constitution contains peculiar provisions allowing Commonwealth citizens to contest elections, suggesting the challenge might ultimately fail.

The outcome of these proceedings could significantly impact the nation’s political landscape, potentially affecting both the premiership and foreign ministry positions.

A provocative commentary has emerged from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, delivering sharp critiques of recent political appointments and diplomatic behavior. The author, identifying as a progressive thinker and product of the country’s Education Revolution, positions themselves as an independent voice unaffiliated with either major political party—the New Democratic Party (NDP) or Unity Labour Party (ULP).

The piece specifically targets a consul general referred to as ‘Luta,’ acknowledging his party loyalty while condemning his actions as ‘reckless and foolish.’ The commentary raises pointed questions about whether individuals who performed political songs received proper compensation and whether appropriate taxes were deducted through National Insurance Services (NIS) and Inland Revenue systems, applying this scrutiny equally to both major parties.

Further criticism addresses political ambition within the NDP camp, where an individual reportedly seeks to replace Luta. The author cautions against such appointments, emphasizing that political representatives inevitably reflect upon their parties through their conduct, speech, and even social behaviors.

The commentary expands to question the potential appointment of a family member to the position of governor general, invoking the principle of separation between church and state. Finally, the author addresses the recent appointment of a press secretary, characterizing it as fundamentally political and stressing that such roles demand vocal, unapologetic representation of party and prime minister.

Throughout the piece, the author maintains that public figures must withstand rigorous scrutiny, emphasizing that political appointments carry significant consequences and should be made with careful consideration of how they reflect upon the parties and the nation.

The Eastern Caribbean stands at a critical juncture where economic necessity confronts political principle. For over two decades, St. Vincent and the Grenadines maintained a distinctive position by rejecting Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs that neighboring OECS states embraced as fiscal strategy. This resistance stemmed from Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ philosophical conviction that citizenship constitutes a civic relationship grounded in shared obligation rather than a marketable asset.

Gonsalves, a Labour intellectual who integrated political philosophy into governance, argued that certain attributes of political life lose meaning when assigned monetary value. His vision positioned citizenship as a public trust and condition of democratic participation—a concept rooted in Labour traditions that emerged from British social democracy and Caribbean anti-colonial struggles.

Now, with changing political leadership and mounting economic pressures, St. Vincent faces a transformative decision. The nation must choose between aligning with regional development models driven by fiscal pragmatism or preserving its distinctive conception of citizenship. This choice transcends mere policy adjustment, touching upon fundamental questions about national identity and the normative foundations of Labour ideology.

Across the OECS, CBI programs have reshaped economies and governance structures. Nations like Dominica, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis adopted these initiatives responding to climate vulnerabilities, limited economic diversification, and global market instability. The consequences extended beyond revenue generation: agricultural lands transformed into luxury developments, policy planning became tied to application cycles, and institutional priorities shifted toward marketing citizenship rather than community development.

International attitudes have simultaneously hardened. The European Union’s 2025 ruling against Malta established that citizenship—particularly when granting supranational rights—cannot be reduced to commercial transactions. This external pressure forces small states to recalibrate citizenship regimes to maintain international legitimacy, often emphasizing mobility advantages over cultural heritage in national branding.

St. Vincent’s deliberation occurs within this complex landscape. Embracing CBI promises fiscal relief and regional alignment but risks gradual ideological erosion. Maintaining resistance preserves civic ideals but demands navigating economic constraints without this revenue stream. The outcome will determine whether citizenship remains a marker of equal standing or becomes stratified by wealth—a decision with enduring implications for Labour ideology and democratic participation.

Prime Minister Godwin Friday has selected Danielle Veira, a multifaceted media professional with diverse experience across multiple industries, to serve as his official Press Secretary. The appointment marks a significant addition to the administrative communications team following the New Democratic Party’s electoral victory on November 27.

Veira brings an extensive background that spans singing, songwriting, announcing, advertising creation, and real estate to her new role. Her longstanding affiliation with the ruling party includes hosting the NDP’s media programming and presiding over several party press conferences during the pre-election period. In the critical year leading to the party’s successful campaign, she collaborated closely with Lavern King, the NDP Public Relations Officer who has since been appointed to the Senate.

Expressing her gratitude for the appointment, Veira stated to iWitness News: “It is a great honour to be appointed by the Prime Minister as Press Secretary. I am fully committed to supporting the Government in carrying out its mandate to deliver for all Vincentians.” She further emphasized her dedication to the role, adding: “I look forward to serving in this role with energy and conviction, and to upholding the responsibilities of the office with clarity and commitment.”

The position of press secretary to the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been held by several notable figures throughout history. Glenn Jackson, a journalist, became the first appointee to this role shortly after Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves assumed office in March 2001. Jackson served until his tragic death on March 6, 2006.

His successor, Hans King—another journalist and former educator—held the position until February 1, 2019, when he resigned to assume leadership as general manager of National Properties Ltd., a state-owned enterprise. King was later confirmed permanently in this corporate role and reportedly resigned following the November general election.

The interim period saw Sehon Marshall appointed to the press secretary position on May 1, 2019. Marshall brought diplomatic experience from his previous role as counsellor at SVG’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and deputy consul general at the New York Consulate. Most recently, comedian and former radio announcer Shevrell McMillan served as press officer to Gonsalves until the Unity Labour Party’s electoral defeat.