By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
St. Vincent PM Rejects Support for OECS Citizenship by Investment Programs
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has made it clear that his government will not support or participate in the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs operated by five fellow OECS nations — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
CBI programs allow foreign nationals to acquire citizenship in exchange for significant investments into national development projects.
While Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda sharply criticized Gonsalves for labeling the programs as “inherently corrupt,” Gonsalves stood by his statement, describing CBI as nothing more than “passport selling.”
He repealed CBI laws shortly after taking office in 2001 and says he is not aligning with developed nations but rather taking a principled stance. The debate has re-emerged as a hot-button campaign issue in the lead-up to St. Vincent’s next general election, expected by November 2025.
Dominica Teachers Reject Government’s Salary Proposal
The Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) has rejected the latest salary proposal offered by the government for the 2024–2027 period.
According to DAT President Marvin Alexander, the offer included:
- 3% increase in the first year
- 2% in the second
- 3% in the third
Teachers reportedly found the offer inadequate — especially since some did not benefit from previous salary reclassifications that granted between 11% and 47% increases to others. The union is preparing a new proposal for submission.
Trump Meets Syrian Leader, Lifts Sanctions in Surprise Shift
In a dramatic international development, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria’s President Hamemed Hal Shara in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, signaling a major foreign policy reversal by announcing that Washington will lift all sanctions on the Syrian government.
The meeting — held ahead of a summit with Gulf Arab leaders — shocked observers, as Shara has past affiliations with Al Qaeda-linked factions.
Trump encouraged Syria to normalize relations with Israel, a move likely to unsettle both U.S. allies and American security agencies given Shara’s history. The meeting took place in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
This unexpected pivot is generating debate over U.S. priorities in the Middle East and what it may signal for future alliances.
