标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent — As the November 27 general election approaches, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has vowed to challenge the eligibility of opposition candidates with dual citizenship in court. Addressing supporters of the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) on Tuesday night, Gonsalves, who is seeking a historic sixth consecutive term, confirmed attempts to block the nomination of New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Godwin Friday and East Kingstown candidate Fitz Bramble due to their Canadian citizenship. Both Friday and Bramble, born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, obtained Canadian citizenship as adults. Gonsalves cited Section 26 of the Constitution, which disqualifies individuals who voluntarily acknowledge allegiance to a foreign power, and referenced a 2020 Court of Appeal ruling that clarified the legal stance on such matters. Despite objections, the Returning Officer allowed their nominations, leaving the final decision to the courts. Friday, a lawyer, dismissed the challenge as a ‘dirty trick’ and expressed confidence in his re-election. Gonsalves urged voters not to ‘waste their vote’ on candidates with dual citizenship, emphasizing the legal and constitutional implications. The controversy has sparked heated debates, with both parties gearing up for a contentious election.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has refuted allegations of attempting to transfer the Canouan land lease to investor Ian Wace, who reportedly contributed $25 million to recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl in July 2025. The dispute centers on the leaseholder, Andrea Pignataro, a billionaire with whom the government has been at odds since 2023 due to stalled land sales since 2017, depriving the government of revenue. Gonsalves accused the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) of siding with Pignataro, framing the issue as a key point in the upcoming November 27 general election. On October 24, Gonsalves sent a letter to Pignataro offering EC$36.5 million for the remaining leased land and proposed a meeting to discuss the offer. He assured that the government would cover employee salaries if the developers took adverse actions. Gonsalves emphasized that the government does not intend to manage the resort but seeks a resolution in the public interest. The prime minister framed the election as a choice between his administration, which prioritizes the people, and the NDP, which he claims supports the developers. Gonsalves also highlighted historical criticisms of the 99-year lease signed by the NDP in 1990, which granted investors control over two-thirds of Canouan. Despite initial cordial relations with investors, Gonsalves has recently voiced concerns over limited revenue and access issues for locals. The Canouan Jetport, closed for night flights, remains a contentious issue, with the government facing calls to invest $40 million in its rehabilitation.

The 2025 election in St. Vincent is not just another political event; it is a historic moment that lays bare the stark inequalities within the nation. For 25 years, a significant portion of the population has struggled to make ends meet, with opportunities flowing disproportionately to a privileged few. This select group, comfortably ensconced in their green pastures, has reaped the benefits of multiple jobs, real estate advantages, and exclusive opportunities, while the majority has been left to survive on the scraps tossed their way. The prospect of change threatens the lifestyle these elites have enjoyed for decades, and they are prepared to take extreme measures to preserve it. However, the tide is turning. Vincentians are awakening, no longer blinded by propaganda or fear. They are thinking collectively, not just individually. On election day, it will be clear who stands to lose: not the struggling single mother, the young graduate, the farmer, or the nurse, but the fattened cows on the green pasture who refuse to share the field. The people of St. Vincent are done groveling for scraps; they are ready to rise, eat well, and prosper. The battle is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers in high places. The question echoing across the nation is: who, exactly, stands to lose? The answer is clear: it will not be the people.

Vincentians, much like people worldwide, hold strong and often polarized views on former U.S. President Donald Trump. Given the significant Vincentian diaspora in North America, these opinions are shaped by both local and global contexts. Trump’s presidency, marked by controversy and unconventional leadership, has sparked reflections on what a ‘Vincy Donald Trump’ might resemble. This analysis delves into key aspects of Trump’s tenure, drawing parallels to familiar leadership traits observed in Vincentian society.

Trump’s presidency was marred by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, with multiple women coming forward to accuse him of assault. This pattern of behavior, coupled with recorded instances of disparaging remarks about women, raises questions about respect and accountability in leadership. Such conduct, while shocking to some, may resonate with Vincentians who have witnessed similar dynamics in their own political landscape.

Another notable feature of Trump’s administration was the appointment of family members to key government positions, leading to accusations of nepotism. This concentration of power within a familial circle mirrors practices that some Vincentians may recognize in their own governance structures.

Trump’s involvement in the Epstein scandal, though not fully disclosed, has raised eyebrows. His party’s efforts to block the release of related files suggest a potential misuse of influence to protect allies. This tactic of shielding information from the public may strike a chord with Vincentians familiar with opaque political maneuvers.

During his presidency, Trump frequently blamed Democrats for government shutdowns, despite his party’s control of Congress. This deflection of responsibility is a strategy that some Vincentians may find reminiscent of local political rhetoric.

Trump’s 2024 campaign, which focused heavily on the age of his opponent, Joe Biden, despite his own advanced years, highlights a tendency to project criticism onto others. This tactic of deflecting scrutiny may resonate with Vincentians who have observed similar political strategies.

Finally, Trump’s call for supporters to protest on January 6, 2021, and the subsequent push for a third term, underscore his relentless pursuit of power. This ambition, even at the cost of democratic norms, may mirror leadership behaviors familiar to Vincentians.

In conclusion, the parallels between Trump’s leadership and certain traits observed in Vincentian politics invite reflection on the nature of power, accountability, and governance. As Vincentians critique Trump, they are also prompted to examine their own political landscape with a critical eye.

A significant controversy has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) over a lucrative government contract awarded to Cecil Harris, the brother-in-law of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. Harris, a highly qualified civil engineer with extensive experience in law and project management, is reportedly earning EC$40,000 monthly as the project manager for the Taiwanese-funded US$125 million Strengthening Health Resilience Project. This project includes the construction of a 135-bed hospital in Arnos Vale, comprehensive health system reforms, and the management of consultants.

A heated controversy has emerged in Trinidad and Tobago over the allocation of government-subsidized housing to the wife and children of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, while over 200,000 citizens remain on the waiting list. Anil Roberts, a senator and housing minister, raised the issue in a Facebook video, questioning the propriety of the acquisitions by Eloise Gonsalves and her children, Storm and Soleil Gonsalves. Roberts highlighted that the properties were secured under the administration of former Prime Minister Keith Rowley, whose party, the People’s National Movement (PNM), was ousted in April. Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party (ULP), seeking a sixth consecutive term, is closely aligned with the PNM. Roberts criticized the preferential treatment, noting that Storm Gonsalves allegedly signed a false declaration about his income to qualify for the housing scheme, which is a criminal offense in Trinidad and Tobago. He called for a police investigation into the matter, emphasizing that the allocation of multiple subsidized homes to one family contradicts the principles of fairness and equality enshrined in the Constitution. Roberts also questioned whether Prime Minister Gonsalves disclosed these assets in his integrity filings in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), where such legislation is absent. Meanwhile, Phillip Alexander, another housing minister, echoed the call for an investigation, stressing that the houses are intended for citizens in dire need, not for non-residents or politically connected individuals. Documents obtained by iWitness News reveal detailed banking information and application records, further fueling the scandal. The controversy underscores broader concerns about transparency and accountability in public office across the Caribbean region.

A political storm has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines following revelations about a EC$144,000 one-year contract awarded to Grace Walters, the North Windward candidate for the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP). Daniel Cummings, the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for West Kingstown, has publicly criticized the contract, labeling it a ‘disgrace’ and vowing to expose further details. The contract, part of the Strengthening Health System Resilience Project (SHSRP), runs from January 15, 2025, to January 14, 2026, and aims to support health sector reform. Cummings dismissed Walters’ claims that his objections were rooted in racism or sexism, emphasizing that his concerns are based on the contract’s legitimacy and transparency. Walters, who took unpaid leave from her hospital administrator role to accept the contract, defended the agreement as a standard practice under the ULP government. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves have also backed Walters, urging Cummings to address his own past contracts with the CWSA. Cummings, however, maintains that his contract was fundamentally different, as it involved continuing his role as CEO under a new arrangement. The controversy has reignited debates about government accountability and the allocation of public resources, with Cummings promising to reveal more details in the near future.

The message was clear: hold off on the complaints until after the election. However, patience is wearing thin among supporters, who are increasingly vocal about their grievances. From questionable property deals in Miami to the opaque awarding of contracts for major infrastructure projects like the Vincy Expo building at Diamond, the discontent is palpable. The handling of Beryl relief funds and the delayed payments to airport restaurant workers have only added fuel to the fire. Even the state of village roads, described as nearly impassable, has become a rallying cry for dissatisfaction. The leadership’s apparent nepotism, with rumors of a son being groomed to take over, has further alienated supporters. The sentiment is clear: the grumbling is widespread and growing louder, even during rallies and social gatherings. This wave of discontent raises serious questions about the future of the current leadership and the loyalty of its base.