Opposition Member of Parliament Peter David says Grenada should not allow the United States to station military assets on the island, warning that such a move would inflame regional tensions rather than promote peace.
Speaking on the matter yesterday in a video posted to social media, David described the US request as “an issue of intense debate” across the Caribbean, coming amid heightened tensions in the Southern Caribbean and Washington’s declared new war on drug trafficking in the region.
He said successive governments, including the current administration, have maintained close ties with both the United States and Venezuela, adding that Grenada continues to enjoy “good neighbourly relations with both.”
“Any genuine efforts to fight the drug trade in our region are both desired and welcomed, but can only be successfully done through cooperation among states,” David said. “Unilateral action, especially one perceived by other countries as laced with hostile intentions, will be both counterproductive and destabilising.”
The former foreign minister said Grenadians have long insisted that the Caribbean remain a “zone of peace,” stressing that diplomacy must be “grounded in mutual respect and dialogue.” While acknowledging the United States’ contribution to regional security, he said such cooperation “should never come at the cost of our independence.”
“Given that position, it would therefore be both problematic and undesirable for Grenada to accede to the US request to have its military assets stationed in Grenada in the current context,” he said. “If we do, it will only help exacerbate the current tensions in the Southern Caribbean and will not lend itself to the efforts of peace.”
David said Grenada’s refusal to host US military assets should not be viewed as an act of hostility but rather as a reaffirmation of its commitment to peaceful resolution and national sovereignty.
“The Grenadian people must rally with the government on this matter,” he said. “We must band together in the interest of our nation, our sovereignty, and our dignity.”
Calling for unity, David urged Grenadians to rise above political division. “This is a time for patriotism and national honour. This is not a time for division and taking political pot shots,” he said. “At this defining moment in history, it is time to raise one flag, our national flag.”
He concluded by calling on all political, social, and religious leaders to stand together, saying, “Grenada needs us all, and for me and my household, count us in.”
So far, the Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell administration has yet to give its thoughts on the US government’s request to set up a military radar base at the Maurice Bishop International Airport to monitor nearby Venezuela. - Chester Sambrano