Caricom chairman and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne yesterday condemned what he called “barbaric” acts of violence in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, in which Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves was injured.
Gonsalves was trying to enter the Parliament building when the protest action turned violent and he was hit on the head by a projectile launched by a protester.
Browne said he was very concerned about the growing incidents of violence in the Caribbean.
“This type of barbarism has no place in our democracy. We resolve our differences through peaceful protestations and ultimately the ballot,” he said.
Browne also sent a voice note response to questions about the situation in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“I am utterly disgusted, personally offended by this barbaric act committed against Comrade Ralph Gonsalves, one of Caribbean’s finest sons,” Browne said.
Browne also forwarded his official statement as chair of Caricom.
“As chair of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and in my own capacity, I condemn the physical assault upon the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves during a protest organised by the opposition political party,” he said.
“The assault was serious and almost fatal. As it is, Dr Gonsalves’ injury to his head is still being medically assessed.”
Hours after he sent that message, Gonsalves was released from the medical facility in Barbados where he was taken for an MRI. He was said to be in good health but will have to be monitored for a couple weeks.
“The introduction of violence into the political life of Caricom is shameful and deplorable and those responsible for it must be brought to justice with all due dispatch,” Browne added.
“The assault is all the more shameful because it occurred as the Prime Minister was walking into the national parliament, the highest law-making body of the State, where a robust debate was taking place in full regard for democratic principles of dissent and discussion. There is no place for violence and personal physical assaults in our Caricom democracies where the rule of law prevails and rights, including the right to peaceful protests, are fully upheld.”
Browne called for all the “law-abiding and well-thinking people of Caricom” to join in a resolution that such “gratuitous violence will not be tolerated in our peaceful societies.”
“Our prayers are with Dr Gonsalves for a speedy recovery. He has been and remains an invaluable Caribbean son and leader, deserving of the greatest respect,” he said.
The St Vincent government was piloting an amendment to the Public Health Bill to make vaccines mandatory for all frontline workers when the protest and violence occurred.