Gonsalves, Ralph Everard

Gonsalves, Ralph Everard, 1946–, Vincentian political leader. Gonsalves practised law in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for several years, becoming deputy leader of the Unity Labor party (ULP) in 1994, when he was first elected to parliament, and leader in 1998. Since 2001 he has led the ULP to five successive general election victories and has served as prime minister as well as minister of finance, national security, legal affairs, and Grenadines affairs. Under his leadership the country has forged closer ties with Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran. He has written several books including History and the Future: A Caribbean Perspective (1994) and The Politics of Our Caribbean Civilisation (2001).

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