primeministerralphgonsalves

Update: PM Ralph Gonsalves was flown to Barbados to receive medical assistance.

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves suffered a bloodied head after anti-vaccine protesters hurled an object at him when he emerged from his vehicle as he walked toward the Parliament building on Thursday evening.

A photograph circulated social media showing the injured prime minister with a bloodied shirt.

When word spread that the 74-year-old Caribbean leader was hit and injured, some protesters celebrated while beating drums, “The World Boss head buss!”

Gonsalves had given himself the name, ‘World Boss’ during the 2020 General Elections, having led the country to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Strong police presence now protects Gonsalves and Parliament building.

The big story

Protesters believed to be supporters of the official opposition, The New Democratic Party (NDP) along with two public service unions marched the streets to protests the legislation that the government said would permit the vaccination of public sector workers, considered to be front line workers.

Protesters believe proposed changes to the Public Health Act, could force some workers out of their jobs if they do not vaccinate.

State of play

The government is proposing to remove the word “voluntary” from a section of the law that speaks to vaccination against an illness that has triggered the declaration of a public health emergency — as is the case with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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The conditions in St Vincent appear to have worsened as authorities report a second explosive event, resulting in power cuts and water outages in La Soufriere.

Locals recalled a rumbling sound and heavy ashfall on the Caribbean Island after the initial explosion on Friday.

Why it matters

Pictures on social media show towering plumes of gas and volcanic matter billowing in the sky as heavy grey ash settle in the surrounding areas.

Thousands of people were forced to evacuate the island with suitcases in hand, fleeing the island for safety after it was rocked with eruptions at La Soufriere volcano.

Cruise ships were summoned to the island to assist the evacuees in escaping the island. Evacuees will need to be vaccinated to board the cruise ships.

The big picture

La Soufriere last erupted in 1979. However, in December, scientists warned that the volcano had become more active than in years prior, with tremors, gas emissions, the formation of a new volcanic dome, and changes to the Crater Lake.

The Bahamas’ response

As the Caribbean seeks to assist the evacuees, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has offered the Bahamas’ support to the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves.

A press statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Minnis states, “Prime Minister Minnis offered the support of the people and Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as a result of the ongoing eruptions at La Soufriere volcano.

“Prime Minister Gonsalves noted that he is grateful for the support of regional leaders.

“Prime Minister Minnis recalled the support of the Caribbean Community during Hurricane Dorian. He expressed full solidarity with the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines during this difficult time.

“Prime Minister Minnis also spoke with Hon. Mia Mottley Prime Minister of Barbados. Ash clouds from the eruptions have drifted over Barbados.

Minnis said he will stay in touch with the leaders of these fellow Caribbean countries during this crisis in order to provide any assistance that may be needed.