Gonsalves Warns of Legal Action Against Media Outlets
Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in a press conference rejected allegations published in local media, describing claims about his wife Eloise Gonsalves’ business dealings at Argyle International Airport as “completely untrue” and confirming that defamation proceedings are underway against IWitness News and The Vincentian Newspaper.
Dr. Gonsalves referred to an opinion piece published in Iwitness News and The Vincentian Newspaper, written by lawyer and commentator Jomo Thomas.
The article alleged that Mrs. Gonsalves earned “hundreds of thousands of dollars” by providing meals to workers and volunteers in the Southern Grenadines following Hurricane Beryl.
Dr. Gonsalves rejected the claim outright, stating that Highflyers, the restaurant operated by Mrs. Gonsalves at Argyle International Airport, had in fact provided food voluntarily during the hurricane response, without charging the government or aid agencies. He emphasized that the suggestion of profit was “a clear, dastardly lie.”
In other statements Dr. Gonsalves dismissed those assertions as “a lie.” He explained that the airport restaurant space was publicly advertised prior to the opening of Argyle International Airport, but no applicants came forward.
He recalled that even potential operators expressed doubts about viability, citing low traffic volumes in the early years.
Dr. Gonsalves emphasized that Mrs. Gonsalves invested her own capital to establish the Highflyers restaurant, bearing financial risk during a period when passenger numbers were insufficient to sustain operations.
He noted that the restaurant was cross‑subsidized from her other ventures until airport traffic increased, and that rental payments were made in line with agreements set by the airport authority.
Present at the press conference was Kenton Chance, operator of IWitness News. Dr. Gonsalves directly told Chance to expect a lawyer’s letter on behalf of Mrs. Gonsalves, signalling intent to pursue damages for alleged defamation.
Defamation law in St. Vincent and the Grenadines protects individuals from false statements that harm reputation.
While journalists and commentators are free to publish opinions, they must avoid presenting unverified allegations as fact. Dr. Gonsalves noted that his wife’s attorneys are already in the process of issuing correspondence to the outlets involved.