The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries that operate citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes, also known as CIP, should not expect any solidarity on the issue from Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.
On Monday, Gonsalves defended his government’s opposition to CBI in the aftermath of a scathing response earlier this month by his Antiguan colleague, Gaston Browne to suggestions by Gonsalves that CBI programmes are inherently corrupt.
Browne accused Gonsalves of adopting the position of developed countries that have
opposed to any innovation that developing countries devise to carve out a space for themselves.
“It don’t have, really, anything to say about what Gaston said. I don’t think he advances the discussion at all. And to the extent that there has to be an answer, my answer isn’t what I stated initially,” Gonsalves said.
“For anybody who can say — whether that person come from any regional country or the NDP here — that I’m being irresponsible. Imagine this. I’m irresponsible, they argue for not selling passport and citizenship.”
Gonsalves has described CBI as selling passports. After coming to office in March 2001, he repealed the CBI law that had been enacted by the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration.
“Presumably, therefore, I’ll be very responsible, highly responsible, if I sell as many as I can, as fast as I can. That would be the height of responsibility in their twisted logic.”
He repeated his view that the Bible and the Vincentian passport must never be sullied or treated with contempt.
“One is the sacred word of God, and the other one, as I always say, the passport is the outward sign of the inward grace of citizenship, and citizenship is the highest office in the land. Neither is a commodity for sale…”
Gonsalves noted the ruling earlier this month of the European Court that Malta’s CBI programme commodified citizenship.
“I didn’t need a European to tell me that,” Gonsalves said. “I know that from who we are.
“Any country wants to sell their passport and sell their citizenship, that’s their business. I’m saying for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it will not happen. The people will ensure that it doesn’t happen. And those who are salivating and lining up, we have prevented them from doing so since 2001, and a lot of lies are being told.”
CBI has emerged as a campaign issue in yet another election cycle as Vincentians prepare to elect a new government in polls widely expected by November, ahead of the February 2026 constitutional deadline.
Gonsalves noted that the NDP had projected earnings of EC$20 million in the 2001 fiscal year under its economic citizenship programme, but the ULP ended the programme as soon as it came to office in March 2001.
The prime minister said eight or 10 passports had been issued under the programme, adding, “They had already had their merchants from overseas lined up, and the local ones too salivating.
“I cut down their breadfruit tree so they vex with me from that time,” Gonsalves said.
“I don’t really have a problem with my friend Gaston Browne defending his breadfruit tree. I don’t expect him not to defend his breadfruit tree. That’s fine. I’m not having any quarrel with you with that.”
He said he was saying that since closing down the CBI programme in Kingstown, “the people who want to sell our passports and sell our citizenship, have been seeking to subvert the democracy in this country, which tells you something about the nastiness of these passport sellers…”
Gonsalves said he was defending St. Vincent and the Grenadines against the corrupt practice of trying to undermine the country’s democracy.
“I defending this country. I hope Gaston don’t allow anybody to give him basket to carry water,” the prime minister said.
‘I don’t like bullying by anybody’
Gonsalves said he also opposes CBI because it is unsustainable, adding that it is dependent on the European Union and Britain continuing visa-free access to passport holders.
He, however, said that Britain and the EU are moving against countries that have CBI.
“Now, I don’t like bullying by anybody, but you have to look at the signs of the times and see this thing coming to an end because of what is happening in Britain, in Europe, and everywhere else,” Gonsalves said.
“And you’re the reckless, which is the fourth point, if you put your eggs substantially inside of the basket of selling passports and selling citizenship.
“There are some countries in the world which had it and it gone, and who now have it had it, some of its small percentage, other places, is a big chunk of the revenue.
“If that gone, crapaud smoke man pipe. You think I’m going to be reckless like that? Particularly in a situation where you are on borrowed time?
“I’m always in favour of us in the region try to see if everybody could hold one common head. But those four reasons are so powerful, I can’t hold a common head with anybody with that.”
‘never grudge anybody what they have’
Gonsalves, noting that he turns 79 in August, said his “mind is as sharp as ever, and I got plenty energy”.
The prime minister said he was brought up to “… never grudge anybody what they have, you don’t know how they get it, and you don’t know the downsides as to how they get it…
“Secondly, if you want anything, you work for it, and you work disciplined and sensible, and you improve your education and your training to work for it…”
He was apparently responding to the argument that the OECS countries with CBI programme have higher standards of living than SVG.
“Thirdly, always be distrustful of easy money. Easy come, easy go,” Gonsalves said.
“They shouldn’t trouble me on this thing. … All those things are deep inside of me. I don’t have t to read any book about them. A noise in the blood, an echo in the bone,” the prime minister said.
“So don’t ask me to join anybody in solidarity on this question. I’m not joining you in solidarity on this. No way at all.
“It’s wrong for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Who want to do it in their own country, that’s their business. But I’m telling everybody, don’t cross swords with me on this in my country, you’ll find my tongue to be very sharp,” Gonsalves said.
“You want to undermine a government which has brought such benefits to the people for the last 24 years. No, that ain’t going happen. I can’t allow that to happen. And then what I learned as a young man, too, a youngster, a doh like bullies, whether the bullies around the West, around the east, the north or the south.
Critique of Ralph Gonsalves’ Statements:
Equating the Bible (a sacred text) with a passport (a bureaucratic document) is hyperbolic and manipulative. It frames citizenship as a quasi-religious dogma rather than a legal status.
Claiming citizenship is the “highest office in the land” is inaccurate, Citizenship grants rights but is not a position of authority. Gonsalves’ dramatic rhetoric risks conflating dissent with sacrilege, stifling legitimate criticism.
What constitutes “sullying” a passport? Is it protest? Criticism? The ambiguity invites authoritarian interpretations where dissent could be branded as contempt.
If SVG engages in citizenship-by-investment programs, the moral stance collapses. If not, it still ignores that passports are administrative tools—not sacred objects beyond scrutiny.
Conclusion: Citizenship is important, but elevating it to a near-religious status is dangerous. It blurs the line between state loyalty and moral purity, discouraging necessary accountability. Those who have ears, let them hear.
The headline is common knowledge. The opposite is correct too. None of them us in soladarity with you either.
Your solidarity at this present time when your credibility has waned, means nothing. Focus on the high level of poverty you’ve brought about by your dictatorial policies. There’s literally hundreds on Vincies in the islands that have the CBI programs. Talk to those Vincentians living in the wider Caribbean because of your policies and find out how they’re doing and why they left SVG. Everything shouldn’t always be about you Mr Man. Have a referendum on CBI. It shouldn’t be up to you..give the people the facts and let them decide.
How could I one talk about not been reckless when the country is drowning in death. What happened when those Taiwan and other loans are called in. Isn’t that more reckless than “so-called selling” of passports? Our children and grandchildren will have to pay back these loans they may just wake up one day and hear that SVG no longer belongs to them, just as what the Chinese did to Sri Lanka with their port are what they threatened to do to few airports in African countries.
The PM is correct.
Ever wonder how it was possible for Africans to sell other African 8nto slavery?
Well wonder no more the selling of passports is no different. History is repeating itself.
As it was back then when these new citizens band together to take over governance of these tiny states what will stand 9n their way?
Remember most of 5hese people have more money than these tiny islands video.
Ralph does think he could fool all ah we anuh, this man clearly confused and don’t have any sense of shame and conviction. He has put our country in so much depth and continued to borrow barrow barrow, but here come CBI and he all of a sudden cares about our economy? Like really Ralph? I could put my head on a block he only don’t want to support this CBI program because if he does then the people would no longer have to depend on him for hei daily bread. They would be dependent on themselves and that by it self spells trouble for his need power. Look at the poor relief he keeps giving them just a little bit just to keep them dependent on him. Shameless man, the day you leave office is the day our country’s national anthem because a beacon… Until such time anyone that does not stand with you will suffer and those that stand with you will continue to eat their own conscience.
Mel,I totally disagree with you equating the selling of passports to bringing back slavery. There’s checks and balances and individuals who not complying with our laws would have their passports revoked. You have to get past the trauma inflicted by your leader..that’s tantamount to being enslaved.Our leader’s leaders logic it seems is better to live in abject poverty than become a slave again. This is mental trauma..we can do better as a people..look at Burkina Faso. They’re open for business…this time they call the shots,not Europe. We can call the shots ..we have to stand up for ourselves as Caribbean people. This ultimate leader is all about divide and control..remember that.
and Eddie crack na bin say on radio dat yo ah interview how many people ah day for passport ? boy ah yo really shameless