by Dominic Samuel*
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, crime is spiraling out of control. Communities live in fear of robberies, murders, and domestic violence. Trust in the police is collapsing under the weight of repeated brutality and misconduct. And yet, at the very center of this storm, the Prime Minister — who also wears the hat of Minister of National Security — remains silent.
That silence is not just disappointing. It is a betrayal.
When a police officer, sworn to protect and serve, can allegedly stab his former partner twenty-three times in an act of unimaginable cruelty, and the leader of this country has nothing to say, then we are staring at a national crisis of leadership. This is not a time for speeches filled with excuses or political deflection. This is a time for accountability. But instead, Vincentians are met with silence — a silence that shields failure and emboldens abuse.
The Prime Minister cannot have it both ways. He cannot demand respect as Minister of National Security while refusing to confront the breakdown in national security. He cannot enjoy the trappings of power while ignoring the responsibilities that come with it. Leadership is not about hiding when things get uncomfortable; it is about standing up, speaking out, and acting decisively when the nation needs it most.
Police brutality is not “isolated.” It is part of a growing pattern of impunity. Crime is not just “a societal issue.” It is a failure of governance. And silence is not strength. Silence, in this moment, is weakness — weakness that costs lives, erodes trust, and leaves a nation exposed.
Vincentians deserve a leader who will confront crime with urgency, hold abusive officers accountable, and restore faith in law enforcement. If the Prime Minister cannot or will not take those steps, then he must face a blunt truth: he is unfit to lead St. Vincent and the Grenadines in this critical time.
History will not remember silence kindly. Neither should the people.
The Views expressed are not those of Asberth News Network