In a recent rally held in Layou, Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar outlined a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at bolstering the agricultural and fisheries sectors in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Speaking to supporters of the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP), Caesar emphasized the party’s commitment to establishing a ‘blue school’ to train young fishers in longline fishing and operate a dedicated fishing fleet if re-elected for a sixth term. Additionally, the ULP plans to set up an abattoir for livestock farmers and expand buying depots in key locations such as Langley Park, Lauders, La Croix, Vincy Fresh at Diamond, and Belmont. These measures are designed to enhance the competitiveness of local farmers and fishers both regionally and globally. Caesar, who has led the agriculture ministry since 2010, highlighted the establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Food Traders Ltd., which aims to purchase produce from local farmers, ensuring they can compete effectively in international markets. The minister also underscored the ULP’s achievements in education, healthcare, and disaster recovery, including the successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the La Soufriere volcanic eruption. Caesar expressed confidence in the ULP’s ability to secure another term, citing the party’s track record of delivering tangible benefits to the people of SVG. He urged supporters to remain steadfast in their commitment to the ULP, emphasizing the party’s role in advancing the nation’s development and improving the livelihoods of its citizens.
标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
圣文森特和格林纳丁斯
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Student still in ICU 1 week after being stabbed at school
A 15-year-old student from North Union Secondary School remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, a week after being stabbed in the head by a fellow student. The incident occurred on October 3, when a 16-year-old classmate allegedly attacked the victim, leaving him unconscious. The injured student, a Form 2 pupil, has since regained consciousness but has been transferred to the Paediatric ICU for continued care. His aunt, Joy Ballantyne, described his recovery as slow and uncertain, noting that he suffers from short-term memory loss and physical weakness. Bright lights also affect his eyes, further complicating his condition. Ballantyne revealed that her nephew had been a victim of bullying at the school, with the alleged attacker repeatedly taunting him about a condition linked to his mother’s death. Despite prior complaints and interventions by his guardian, the bullying persisted. On October 2, the suspect reportedly threatened to stab the victim if he attended school the next day. The attack unfolded in the schoolyard, where the assailant allegedly stabbed the victim in the head after a brief chase. A video circulating on social media showed the injured student being supported by classmates, his clothes bloodied. Ballantyne disclosed that the stab wound penetrated approximately five centimeters, cracking his skull and causing brain hemorrhaging. Police have taken the suspect into custody but released him without charges. Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor “Buju” Bailey stated that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will determine whether charges will be filed.
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Man gets 20 years for killing his grandpa, 94
A 25-year-old man, Jareth Jamala John, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal assault of his 94-year-old grandfather during a psychotic episode in 2020. The tragic incident occurred at their family home in Collins, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. John, who began using marijuana at age 13, has consistently refused to quit the drug, despite evidence linking it to his mental health issues. During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Kingstown, Justice Rickie Burnett revealed that John expressed a desire for more marijuana, claiming it helps him stay calm. Mental health assessments indicate that John remains a danger to others without continued psychiatric treatment. The court granted a one-third sentence reduction due to his guilty plea, resulting in a remaining term of seven years, nine months, and nine days. John was initially charged with murder and assault but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The case highlights the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness and substance abuse.
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Gonsalves urges Dominicans to remain faithful to Labour
In a compelling lecture delivered in Roseau, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves lauded Dominica’s remarkable economic recovery amidst decades of adversity. Speaking on Thursday night to honor the 25th anniversary of former Prime Minister Roosevelt Douglas’s passing, Gonsalves emphasized the significance of the island’s resilience in the face of numerous challenges.
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Trump wants Venezuela’s oil riches
In a significant geopolitical development, the Trump administration has reportedly sought permission from the Grenadian government to station military assets on the island. This move is seen as a dangerous escalation in the United States’ ongoing efforts to influence regime change in Venezuela. The decision follows Trump’s abrupt order to halt all diplomatic discussions with Venezuelan leaders, signaling a more aggressive stance towards Caracas.
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Taiwan ‘will neither provoke nor yield’ — Ambassador Fan
Taiwan marked its 114th National Day on Friday, with Ambassador Fiona Huei-Chun Fan emphasizing the island’s steadfast commitment to defending democracy and maintaining regional peace. Speaking at a cocktail reception in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Fan highlighted the persistent challenges Taiwan faces from China, including military intimidation, economic coercion, and diplomatic suppression. Despite these pressures, she asserted Taiwan’s resolve to remain calm and resolute, neither provoking nor yielding to external threats. Fan reiterated that Taiwan’s future will be determined solely by its 23 million citizens, emphasizing that neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to the other. She also underscored Taiwan’s dedication to collaborating with like-minded democracies, such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains a region of peace, freedom, and shared prosperity. Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1981, the two nations have fostered a partnership rooted in mutual respect, democratic values, and shared economic goals. Fan expressed gratitude for St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ support for Taiwan’s international participation, particularly in UN agencies related to health, climate change, and civil aviation. She also highlighted Taiwan’s significant contributions to global technology, with its brands like ASUS and ACER dominating the laptop market and its production of 90% of the world’s AI servers. Taiwan’s collaboration with St. Vincent and the Grenadines extends to agriculture, security, and healthcare, including the construction of the Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital, a $125 million project symbolizing their enduring friendship. Fan concluded by emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment, with Taiwan funding various educational and entrepreneurial programs to support the next generation.
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Cramming for the national exam — ULP style
In North Leeward, the air is thick with the sounds of heavy machinery and the sight of sudden activity. Long-neglected roads are being graded, hardcourts are under construction, and materials are being dumped at various sites. Students are being called in groups to receive laptops and scholarships, while arrowroot farmers, who have been struggling since the 2001 volcanic eruption, are finally receiving relief. Amidst all this, there is talk of hotel development, even though similar projects announced years ago in other parts of the country have yet to materialize. What ties all these developments together? It’s the ULP government’s frantic efforts to prepare for the upcoming general elections, a phenomenon akin to a student cramming for a national exam. Just as the education policy promotes students to secondary school regardless of their mastery of the required knowledge, the government seems to be adopting a similar approach—hoping to scrape through by making last-minute efforts. However, this strategy raises questions about the government’s ability to implement a holistic development policy that benefits everyone consistently over time, rather than in the final weeks of its political life. The analogy extends further: just as students who cram often fail to master the subject matter, a government that relies on last-minute efforts may not be equipped to perform at the required level. The closer these developments are to the election, the more they are expected to leave a lasting impression on voters. Yet, this short-term political strategy may not be enough to bridge the development gap with other countries in the region. As Independence Day approaches, more announcements of such initiatives are widely anticipated.
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AIA runway continues to break up as planes land
Argyle International Airport, which opened in February 2017, continues to face persistent runway issues as sections of the tarmac break apart during aircraft landings and takeoffs. These problems have necessitated ongoing repairs, with the most recent incident occurring on Monday when a Virgin Atlantic flight departing for London tore up a section of the runway. Although repairs were completed that night, the same area was damaged again when the same airline landed on Wednesday, causing delays for other international flights. Sources revealed that planes were forced to hold in the air while emergency repairs were conducted. The recurring issues have sparked criticism, with an aviation sector worker earlier this year urging the government to address the problems transparently rather than dismissing public concerns. The government has remained largely silent on the root cause of these issues at the EC$700 million airport. However, a team of Cuban engineers, led by Juan Carlos Quintana, Director General of the Cuban Airports and Air Services Company, arrived in St. Vincent on September 5 to assist with expansion and modernization efforts. The team is expected to provide hands-on training, technical guidance, and structured programs to enhance the airport’s internal capacity over the next 12 months. Notably, runway issues were identified even before the airport’s opening, with then Minister of Transport and Works, Sen. Julian Francis, acknowledging ‘weak areas’ that were addressed just days before operations began. Despite these efforts, the runway’s durability remains a pressing concern.
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PM suggests he was going to increase ‘Poor Relief’ next year
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has revealed plans to announce a significant increase in Public Assistance during his Independence Day address on October 27, with the changes set to take effect in January 2026. This announcement comes amidst a heated political climate, as the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) has pledged to raise monthly payouts to EC$500 if elected in the upcoming November elections. Currently, Public Assistance recipients receive between EC$275 and EC$300 monthly, depending on their age. Gonsalves criticized the NDP’s policy, labeling it as a desperate move influenced by foreign strategists. He emphasized that his government has already expanded the social safety net, including free or subsidized school meals, housing grants, and healthcare benefits. The Prime Minister also highlighted the NDP’s use of the term “Poor Relief” as demeaning, insisting on the formal term “Public Assistance.” Gonsalves further accused the opposition of misrepresenting the country’s social programs and warned of the risks of privatizing healthcare. The announcement underscores the intensifying political rivalry as the nation approaches a critical election.
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Ras John says Bing invited him on Boom; nobody paid him
In a recent political controversy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, landscaper and activist Aster ‘Ras John’ John has refuted claims by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves that he was paid to appear on Boom FM’s OMG programme. John, a former supporter of Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party (ULP), made headlines in August for his critical remarks about MP Saboto Caesar’s management of the agricultural sector. Gonsalves later alleged that both John and the radio station were compensated for the appearance, a claim John vehemently denies.
John stated that he was invited by the show’s host, Dwight ‘Bing’ Joseph, a personal friend, and did not receive any payment. He explained that his appearance was prompted by a public statement he made at a UWI Global Campus event, where he criticized Caesar’s handling of agriculture. Joseph confirmed that neither John nor lawyer Jomo Thomas, who also appears on the show, paid for their segments.
The controversy deepened when Thomas, a former ULP candidate and Speaker of the House of Assembly, threatened legal action against Gonsalves for suggesting that China was involved in efforts to unseat the ULP government. Thomas denied any involvement in such efforts and challenged Gonsalves’ claims as defamatory and politically motivated. He accused the Prime Minister of stifling dissent and resorting to desperate tactics to maintain power.
Thomas also addressed Joseph directly during his commentary, emphasizing that he had never paid for his appearances or facilitated John’s. He criticized Gonsalves for his intolerance of criticism and accused him of damaging the political discourse in St. Vincent. Thomas announced that he had instructed his lawyers to send a pre-action letter to Gonsalves, signaling potential legal repercussions for the Prime Minister’s statements.
John, meanwhile, reiterated his long-standing opposition to the ULP, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s agricultural policies since 2015. He emphasized that his criticisms were driven by a desire for the country’s progress, not financial gain. The ongoing dispute highlights the growing political tensions in St. Vincent as the ULP faces increasing scrutiny and opposition.