In a significant shift for the Eastern Caribbean’s political landscape, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has emerged as a vocal critic of the recent United States military intervention in Venezuela, known as Operation Absolute Resolve. Speaking from his new vantage point as the Leader of the Opposition in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the veteran statesman used a press conference at the Unity Labour Party (ULP) headquarters on January 5, 2026, to condemn the action.1 He warned that the extraction of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by U.S. special forces on January 3 represents a dangerous undermining of the multilateral system and the fundamental principles of national sovereignty.
Dr. Gonsalves pointedly questioned the fairness of the U.S. judicial process, noting the irony that even American political figures have previously expressed distrust in the New York court system where Maduro is now being held. He cautioned regional leaders against conflating high-stakes military or political operations with simple law enforcement, drawing historical parallels to figures like Toussaint Louverture who were lured into dialogue only to be abducted.2 The former Prime Minister, who was unseated in a historic landslide victory by Dr. Godwin Friday’s New Democratic Party in late 2025, argued that the grounds for this intervention were rooted in long-standing executive policies that labeled Venezuela a threat to U.S. national security, which he believes paved the way for the current surgical operation to remove the Venezuelan leadership.
Responding to these concerns, the administration of Prime Minister Godwin Friday has taken a more measured, diplomatic stance that emphasizes regional solidarity. Minister of Foreign Affairs Fitz Bramble stated on January 4, 2026, that the Government of St.3 Vincent and the Grenadines is monitoring the situation with “grave concern” but remains firmly aligned with the official position of the CARICOM Bureau.4 Prime Minister Friday’s government has reiterated its commitment to the principles of international law and multilateralism as enshrined in the UN Charter, joining other CARICOM heads in calling for peaceful dialogue and diplomatic channels to ensure stability and democracy for the Venezuelan people.5 This alignment marks a strategic departure from the more confrontational rhetoric of the previous administration, as Kingstown seeks to balance its friendship with both Caracas and Washington.+2
As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grapples with a unified response to the January strikes, Gonsalves urged for sober judgment to find a resolution that respects the UN Charter and prevents further divisiveness within the region.6 He emphasized that the multifaceted impact of the crisis is being felt daily across the West Indies, particularly as flight disruptions and airspace restrictions affected regional mobility immediately following the capture. For Gonsalves, the intervention is not merely a legal matter but a significant geopolitical reset that threatens to turn Caribbean states into prisoners of history and geography if they do not maintain a clear, independent stance on the rule of international law.