US congratulates PM Gonsalves on SVG’s CELAC election

By Demion McTair. Updated 5:55 a.m., Thursday, February 2, 2023, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The United States Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS, Linda S. Taglialatela has congratulated Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on this country’s election to the presidency of CELAC.

CELAC is the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines was unanimously elected as president pro tempore of the 33-member body on January 24, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina during CELAC’s 7th Heads of State and Government Summit.

In a letter to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves dated January 26, 2023, the US Ambassador in Bridgetown, Barbados, Linda S. Taglialatela, said:

“I would like to congratulate you on the election of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as the next leader of CELAC at the Buenos Aires Summit. The unanimous vote to elect an English-speaking democracy as the first Caribbean holder of CELAC’s presidency pro tempore is a momentous occasion for your country – and a historic opportunity for the hemisphere that we share.”

“Given the close cooperation on conflict management and security issues that our two nations enjoyed on the United Nations Security Council, as well as your pragmatic goals for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the region, it is my firm hope that our bilateral partnership will only be strengthened in the coming year,” Ambassador Linda S. Taglialatela said.

“Let me take the opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the United States to continue to work with Saint Vincent to promote the security, health, education, and well-being of our people.
As you celebrate this important accomplishment. please be assured of our continued friendship and best wishes,” Ambassador Linda S. Taglialatela added.

On NBC Radio on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said former minister of health and foreign affairs – Dr. Douglas Slater has been chosen to lead this country’s CELAC efforts with support from former SVG Ambassador to Venezuela – Mr. Andreas Wickham.