SVG’s Gonsalves denounces silence over sea killings

A heated regional debate has erupted following a deadly United States military strike on a vessel believed to have originated in Saint Lucia, with St Vincent opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves sharply criticising what he described as a troubling lack of response from Caribbean governments.

Gonsalves, one of the region’s longest serving political figures who demitted office last November after 24 consecutive years as prime minister, used his weekly radio programme to denounce the attack as unlawful and inhumane. The vessel, acknowledged by St Lucian authorities to have departed a local fishing village earlier in the week, is believed to have carried three St Lucians. They remained missing up to Thursday.

Prime Minister Phillip Pierre said earlier that “people lost their lives” and that his administration was awaiting official confirmation from international agencies. The damaged boat later washed ashore near Canouan Island in the Grenadines. Fellow fishermen have identified it as belonging to colleagues from the village.

Gonsalves questioned both the legality and morality of the strike, arguing that due process must prevail even in cases involving suspected drug trafficking. “Any penalty that is carried out has to be carried out by a court,” he said, expressing bewilderment that traffickers are not subject to the death penalty through judicial systems, yet are allegedly being killed in maritime operations.

“You just cannot execute them at sea. That is a species of barbarism contrary to American values, contrary to international law, and contrary to American jurisprudence,” he stated. He urged Washington to reassess what he called the “Dunroe Doctrine,” describing it as a political and ideological approach that must be subjected to both international and domestic legal standards.

Turning his criticism closer to home, Gonsalves also faulted the newly installed administration of Prime Minister Goodwin Friday in St Vincent and the Grenadines for what he characterised as silence. “This government hasn’t said anything yet about these matters. At least not as far as I know,” he remarked.

He maintained that even if those aboard were involved in narcotics trafficking, the rule of law demands evidence and trial. “Everybody is innocent until they are proven guilty. You can’t be judge, jury, and executioner without giving the persons an opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law,” Gonsalves said.