Opposition Senator the Hon. Carlos James has issued a scathing critique of National Security Minister Major St. Claire Leacock, accusing him of a “weak” and “inept” response to reports of extrajudicial killings within the territorial waters of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Senator James highlighted that the government remained silent for two weeks, only addressing the issue after it was raised on a local radio programme.
During a subsequent press briefing, the Minister reportedly suggested that the government must be cautious in its response to avoid jeopardizing U.S. visas and financial remittances from families abroad.
Senator James vehemently rejected this stance, arguing that a nation’s sovereignty should not be compromised by such concerns.
The Senator emphasized that St. Vincent and the Grenadines maintains clear legal frameworks, including extradition treaties and domestic Acts of Parliament, to address international crimes such as money laundering or drug trafficking through the proper judicial channels.
He characterized the alleged extrajudicial activity as a breach of both international and domestic law, stating that the National Security Minister should have been the first to defend the country’s legal integrity and demand a formal investigation.
Calling for immediate action, Senator James urged the government to stop “covering” and seek the support of CARICOM or the Regional Security System (RSS) to ensure a transparent inquiry into the matter.