Citizenship granted to 250 Cubans is ‘absolute nonsense,’ says PM

The Prime Minister has dismissed accusations that his administration granted Vincentian citizenship to over 250 Cubans who have been working here on the Argyle International Airport.

Speaking at the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 22nd convention last Sunday, May 29, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves denied the claim – stating that records indicate that up to present day, only 33 persons of Cuban nationality {{more}}have been granted citizenship.

“From before our time in office until now, the records show that you have 33 persons who were born in Cuba who are citizens of this country. Twenty-five of them have valid passports. Some had passports and they expired and they’re back in Cuba now. They didn’t renew their passports,” said Gonsalves.

“Some of those are people who got their citizenship before this government came to office. And 90 something per cent of these people are either citizens by descent or citizens through marriage.”

He added: “To the best of my knowledge, there are only two persons at the airport – a very highly skilled engineer and his wife, who also worked here, who had been with us since 2005/2006 working on the airport from the preparatory stages – they are the only two people to the best of my knowledge from Cuba who got citizenship by naturalization…”

Opposition Leader and New Democratic Party (NDP) president Arnhim Eustace first made the allegation at a NDP rally at Sion Hill last Wednesday, May 25.

Speaking on the New Times radio programme yesterday, Eustace broached the issue again.

“How many Cubans have been given citizenship in St Vincent and the Grenadines? I want an official statement of how many were given and when they were given – no unofficial announcement.”

In its May 27, 2016 edition, SEARCHLIGHT reported that Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Godfred Pompey had also refuted the claim – insisting that there is no widespread granting of citizenship to foreign workers at the international airport site.

Pompey also challenged Eustace to show evidence of what he is suggesting in regard to citizenship being granted to Cubans.

At the ULP convention, Gonsalves described Eustace’s claim as “absolute nonsense”, and mentioned that St Clair Leacock, NDP parliamentary representative for Central Kingstown, had rebuked Pompey for the manner in which he responded to Eustace’s accusation.

“He tell a lie, so Permanent Secretary mustn’t say he tell a lie?” inquired the Prime Minister.

“What he [Eustace] has is an anti-Cuban bias. But Cuba is a part of the Caribbean. They looking for every excuse why they lose the election…”

Gonsalves added that there are many highly skilled Cuban workers currently employed here, who he hopes will apply for citizenship once they have the requisite number of years residing here.

“They have a lot of skill. I want to have them here in St Vincent and the Grenadines!” (JSV)