Opposition Leader Gonsalves Says 2024 Data Shows Lower Crime Under His Administration

Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves suggested on Monday that crime trends were more favourable under his administration, pointing to a decline in homicides in 2024 even as he acknowledged a recent uptick in violent incidents since the change in government. The former Prime Minister and current Leader of the Unity Labour Party described crime as a “complex” issue, rooted in local and regional dynamics that extend beyond immediate political blame.

Addressing journalists and general public, Gonsalves pointed to official figures showing a spike in serious incidents since the New Democratic Party assumed office after the November 2025 elections. According to his tally, there have been three homicides, one kidnapping and two shootings in the brief period since the government transition — figures he described as “significant for such a short period.”

However, Gonsalves was keen to contrast these recent events with trends under his administration, noting that homicides declined by roughly 25 % in 2024 compared with the two preceding years. “We saw a downward trend under the ULP, and that is the record we should compare,” he said, urging critics not to conflate short-term fluctuations with systemic failure.

The veteran politician, who led the country for over two decades, also stressed that criminality cannot be reduced to simple political narratives. He urged respect for the independence of law enforcement institutions, warning against any perception of “political interference” that could undermine public trust in the police. Gonsalves said he intends to hold the new government accountable “responsibly”, supporting measures that enhance public safety while criticising those he views as counterproductive.

In a broader geopolitical context, Gonsalves also highlighted regional instability, particularly in neighbouring Venezuela, as a contributing factor to rising crime across the Caribbean. He cautioned that political and economic turmoil abroad can attract “bad men and women” who exploit weak governance and transnational borders to commit offences — a threat that, he said, could easily affect islands like Trinidad, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines itself.