Shockwaves in St. Vincent: 16-Year Reign Ends in Stunning Election Upset! What Happens Next?

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A significant political shift is underway in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as the nation prepares to welcome a new prime minister for the first time in 24 years. Preliminary election results indicate that Godwin Friday, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), has successfully unseated Ralph Gonsalves of the Unity Labor Party (ULP), who has held office since March 2001.

Ralph Gonsalves is one of the longest-serving democratic leaders globally, noted for his strong alliances with leaders such as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. In a brief statement posted on social media, Gonsalves’ party expressed their commitment to continue advocating for the citizens: “We love you, SVG, and we will keep working and advocating for you. This is not the end, it is the beginning.”

According to preliminary results, Friday’s NDP achieved a remarkable victory, winning 14 out of 15 constituencies in this eastern Caribbean archipelago, which has a population of over 100,000. As Friday addressed his supporters in Kingstown, he emphasized the desire for change among the electorate, stating, “The people have come out and said... 'We want a better future for ourselves.'” This sentiment was echoed by hundreds of enthusiastic followers, who celebrated his arrival with chants of “Friday! Friday! Friday!” and the sound of vuvuzelas.

During his campaign, Friday engaged with voters through village meetings, gradually building support. He has pledged to tackle pressing issues facing the nation, including an **18% unemployment rate** and **26% poverty rate**, while also focusing on job creation, wage increases, enhancing security, and investing in critical infrastructure. The recent eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in April 2021 has compounded these challenges, leaving the country still striving for recovery.

Friday’s party has previously advocated for a citizenship by investment program and sought to foster closer ties with China, contrasting Gonsalves' longstanding relationship with Taiwan. Under Gonsalves' administration, the country signed a free movement agreement last month, facilitating easier travel for its citizens to specific Caribbean nations without the need for a visa or work permit. He also played a key role in organizing an emergency meeting between Venezuela and Guyana in December 2023 to address a contentious border dispute.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commended Gonsalves on social media, acknowledging his contributions to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and his pursuit of deeper regional cooperation. He also congratulated Friday, stating, “His election signifies a new chapter for the Vincentian people.” This transition marks a pivotal moment in the political landscape of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In the wake of the election, hundreds of supporters adorned in yellow and blue gathered in Kingstown to celebrate Friday's victory. Some even assembled a cardboard coffin covered in Gonsalves' campaign posters, symbolically releasing it into the sea as a farewell gesture to the previous administration. Friday was scheduled to be sworn in later that afternoon, signaling the start of his leadership in a country eager for change.