Concerns increase after yet another attack on Cuban nationals

There has been another attack on Cuban nationals living in St Vincent and the Grenadines, bringing to four, the number of such incidents here in the past three months.

The most recent incident relates to a report of arson made by a 45-year-old Cuban medical doctor working in Georgetown. According to a police report, a grey Toyota Noah van HB-623 valued at $59,500 was set on fire at Georgetown between 9:30 a.m. on September 22 and 2:30 am on September 23.

Speaking on NBC radio on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves also recalled an incident where an eye clinic which is operated by Cuban professionals was vandalized.

He said none of the other businesses in the area (Stoney Ground) were vandalized.

Although one person has been taken into custody as a result of this incident, the prime minister is still concerned about the “senseless attacks” on Cuban professionals and technical persons working in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The attacks began on July 1, when Dr Alfredo Batista Selgado was slashed in the abdomen while walking to his home at McKies Hill in Kingstown.

Two other Cuban nationals fell victim and were injured in an incident in Georgetown on July 11.

The victims in that attack were Janet Gameo Fableona 49 and Daima Ves Aeosta 39, attached to the Modern Medical and Diagnostic Centre in Georgetown.