Battle over CBI escalates in St Vincent and the Grenadines
The Prime Minister of St Vincent, Ralph Gonsalves, is calling on the opposition party to respond to enquiries regarding what he claims are several senior members of the party purportedly linked to a firm engaged in the sale of passports and citizenship in a different jurisdiction.
On Monday, Gonsalves presented the allegations during a press conference held in Kingstown.
Gonsalves and the Opposition have engaged in a contentious exchange regarding the CBI programme, which he ardently criticises, while the Opposition assert their intention to implement it once they secure power in the forthcoming election.
“What is the name of one or more persons in the top leadership of the NDP who is currently (1) the chief commercial officer of a company which is engaged in the selling of passports and citizenship in another jurisdiction?”
(2) Tell us, what is the mission of that particular company? And how long has the individual been employed as the chief commercial officer? And before that, what was his role?”
Gonsalves further alleges that the individual is working with a Chinese national based in France.
(3) “Is he still working with a Chinese national based in France? Who is the company’s chief marketing officer? Does the individual work with a particular Nigerian lady? Tell us who is the Nigerian representative and business developer of this particular company.”
“If you’re coming, tell us what you’re doing already. Don’t hide. And whether this particular person is like peas in a pod with another one. And what is his involvement in the selling of the passport business if this particular one wants to offer himself as a candidate?”
Gonsalves told the nation to dig deeper and not just on the surface.
“Let’s go deeper, not stay shallow. Let’s dig deep. Let’s dig deep. You know, it’s an important matter concerning the country, and there are more things. There are more questions which I could ask about, which I can raise.”
Gonsalves, once again insinuating that an online journalist is part of the cabal, had this to say:
“Some fellows get ahead of themselves; they feel, because they get a few clicks and a few likes, that people trust them, but you can get any kind of fantasist to do all sorts of things. I keep my feet on the ground, and we will find out more as we go along this year as we continue with the development of the country,” Gonsalves said.
In March, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the EU Parliament cast a vote that could lead to the revocation of visa-free access for nations that provide citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes. The vote transcends mere bureaucratic procedure; it represents a direct challenge to the concept of citizenship through investment.
The regions of focus were predominantly Caribbean nations, including Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia. In 2024, the nations responded by formalising a Memorandum of Agreement that delineated shared standards, imposed a suspension on Russian applicants, and established uniform minimum investment thresholds.
On May 1, in a significant ruling, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) determined that Malta is prohibited from continuing its “golden passports” programme, which has facilitated the acquisition of Maltese citizenship—and consequently EU citizenship—by foreign nationals.
The ruling affirms that member states are prohibited from commercialising EU citizenship or engaging in irresponsible golden passport schemes. A multitude of instances has demonstrated how these schemes have provided refuge to corrupt individuals from various corners of the globe, as well as other dubious figures within the EU. The ruling not only halts Malta’s ability to sell EU citizenship but also serves to inhibit other member states from engaging in similar practices.
The official website for Saint Kitts & Nevis citizenship outlines that a significant advantage of acquiring a passport via the Citizenship by Investment programme is the provision for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, permitting stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe. The recent ruling by the EU court indicates a reduction in the scope of travel options available to the buyer.
