In an exclusive interview with teleSUR, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines emphasized the enduring importance of regional integration, solidarity, and peaceful diplomacy across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The conversation took place in Kingstown during the vibrant Vincy Mas celebrations and ahead of Venezuela’s July 5th Independence Day.

Gonsalves, a long-standing advocate of Caribbean unity, invoked the legacy of Marcus Garvey, Simón Bolívar, José Martí, Fidel Castro, and Hugo Chávez to underscore the philosophical and historical foundations of collective progress. “If you want to go far, you go together,” he said, stressing that integration must be organic, not imposed, and must uplift all member states equitably.

He reaffirmed Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ active participation in CARICOM, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), ALBA, and CELAC, describing these bodies as essential platforms for shared development and sovereignty.

Responding to U.S. criticism of Cuban medical missions, Gonsalves firmly rejected allegations of exploitation. “There’s no human trafficking. There’s no exploitation,” he stated, defending the presence of Cuban doctors, nurses, engineers, and educators as a “remarkable act of solidarity.”

He noted that both Saint Vincent and Cuba adhere to international labor standards and that the accusations reflect a “jaundiced view” disconnected from the lived reality of Caribbean cooperation.

The Prime Minister also highlighted his country’s role in facilitating peace between Guyana and Venezuela, referencing the Argyle Declaration as a diplomatic milestone. “We are one,” he said, describing recent joint efforts with the Guyana Defense Force and Venezuela’s ongoing support for reconstruction in the Southern Grenadines.

Turning to the cultural heartbeat of the nation, Gonsalves celebrated Vincy Mas as a unique expression of Caribbean identity. “There’s a generalized carnival throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, but we have our unique flavor,” he said, praising the power of calypso, soca, and steelpan to unite people in joy and peace.

The interview concluded with a call for regional unity in the face of global pressures, and a reaffirmation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ commitment to peace, dignity, and mutual respect.

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