St Lucia’s opposition leader, Allen Chastanet, has said Dominica has become the laughing stock of the world because of its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program.
He was addressing a public meeting of his United Workers Party (UWP) on Sunday and made his comment against the background of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, appearing as a guest on a St Lucia Labour Party-affiliated radio show where he discussed Dominica’s CBI. Like Dominica, St Lucia has its own CBI program.
According to Chastanet, what is going on in CBI programs is what he described as “blatant corruption.”
“Let us not mistake what is taking place with CBI, blatant corruption,” he remarked. “And can you imagine that a sitting prime minister of Dominica, a country that has lost its visas to England, has lost its visas to Ireland, that has become a laughing stock in the world would find himself on Richard Frederick’s show?”
Chastanet referred to the old saying that ‘birds of a feather flock together’.
“A picture paints a thousand words but tell Skerrit, I will tell Skerrit the same thing Sir John Compton told Ralph Gonsalves in 2006 when Ralph came to St Lucia and insulted Sir John and he said to Ralph, ‘remember I might be the next prime minister of St Lucia’,” he remarked.
In 2023, the British government decided that Dominica passport holders need a visa to travel to and transit the United Kingdom because of concerns over the island’s CBI program. It said there was clear and evident abuse of the program, including the granting of citizenship to individuals known to pose a risk to the UK.
In March this year, Ireland did the same with the Irish government saying the move was to bring Ireland into closer alignment with the visa regime in the United Kingdom and the Schengen area.
Chastanet has historically criticized the handling of St Lucia’s CBI program by the ruling St Lucia Labour Party (SLP).
“We, as a party are sounding the alarm for almost two years since government and the prime minister, in particular, changed the rules governing the Economic Fund to allow Cabinet to use CIP [St Lucia’s citizenship by Investment program] monies freely, and due to those damning decisions, to continue accepting Russian and Iranian applications at the commencement of the Ukraine War in spite of international concerns,” he said in a press statement in April this year.
He also claimed that St. Lucia’s SLP government had launched a new secret infrastructure option under the country’s CBI and the people of St Lucia were not informed about it.
According to Chastanet, the new option “will allow certain approved developers to undertake infrastructure projects for the government and to reimburse themselves by selling our citizenship for US$100,000 and receiving the funds themselves.”
At Sunday’s meeting, Chastanet said he was brought into a conversation with Grenada, Dominica, and St Kitts “and we all intend to file a class action so we can recover the money that you have lost.”
However, he did not elaborate on the nature of the suit, when it will be filed, or where it will be filed.
Gary oui!
There is a man in Dominica referred to as “the star boy of stupidity”!
I found out that is how most Caribbean leaders think of him: I like to dig, and as I continue to rip some Dominica dirt:
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Yea, as I continued to dig deeper into Dominica dirt, I was told that it is a prime minister; very academically educated out of Trinidad & Tobago who dubbed the Dominica clown screwing the country while he fleece and rob the nation “Star-boy of stupidity! You see Gary: the Late Dr. Erick Williams of Trinidad, was the first Prime Minister with academic credential to serve in West Indian Politics!
Note: The late former Prime Minister Eric Williams of Trinidad was educated at Queen’s Royal College, Port of Spain, and at the University of Oxford, where he received a B.A. in 1932 and a D.Phil. in 1938, with studies in history and political science. He also attended Tranquillity Boys’ Intermediate Government School.
Dunce Roosevelt want be (dactar…
“When you make such a statement “CBI money which is controlled by a foreigner” do you have evidence to tell us who that foreigner”(Gary).
Gary, it is said “ignorance is blis” that term originates in Thomas Gary’S poem “Ode on a distant prospect of Eton College in 1742, and may I add “tis folly to be wise.
Now unless you have decided to become dumb, stupid or ignorant, even if you are not resident in by now unless you are pretending, you should be ashamed to challenge anybody with that foolish question in the quote above.
You know very well the principal individual who controls Dominica passport money, the man whom Skerrit has Billions of dollars in only he knows in foreign banks in whatever alias or fictitious name he uses when it is convent to him.
Gary, if that man die today, not even Roosevelt that damn crook will get the money he allows to be in that man with at least four alias names in f origin banks!
Are you stupid or something Gary?
Ask Roosevelt the…
But wait a minute, Saint Lucia ain’t no better. The police be selling passports to them Chinese. better go look into that. clear under your bed before you clear under mine. Oh I know cause when they came to pick up the money from my neighbor I was there. dafaq
Allen Chastanet was elected by the St.Lucian people to form a Government he lasted one term and was removed. Making such a statement about Dominica is worthless rhetoric, it is a narrative that suits the Opposition forces, chief orchestrator Matt Peltier trying desperately to give credence to their nonsensical perception about the CBI and corruption they keep echoing day and night to the Dominican populace. is so funny the term “birds of a feather flock together” look at their similarities.
Is it really a fact Dominica has become the laughingstock of the world. Haven’t they seen the accolades Dominica has received in international travel magazines, what about the hospitality industry reviews regarding our Hotels. Propaganda does not deceive people, it merely helps them to deceive themselves.
@Gary
Yes Gary all the negative accolades like having Ali Reza Zibahakat Monfarad living in Morne Daniel, having Alison Diazani Madueke as ambassador, N G Lapseng, Rudulph King and company.
Your hard headed and shameless fool. Stop being a door mat!
You know it is funny how some of us cherry-pick our negative news coverage about our Country based on partisan politics. Why don’t you take your time to understand the CBI program from its inception to where we are now instead of making silly remarks about me, which is easy and does not require any thoughtful process.
You must question everything you read about your country regardless of your partisan politics. Do you know that Alison Diazani Madueke is still wating trial in Britain, 8 years after being charged, that does not mean I am saying she is innocent of what she is alleged of doing. What do you know about Ali Reza Zibahakat Monfarad and his complex identity. N G Lapseng affair happened when The PM was still in school. You must also read and understand what diplomatic immunity is, not what you are told.
The negative coverage of Dominica involving people
and certain characters did not originate with The present PM, and will not end when he leaves office.
The MP from Trinidad labeled him with the moniker – Star Boy of Stupidity. The well respected former PM of St. Lucia told us the truth that he is a laughing stock and a pariah around the world. Are these noble gentlemen wrong? Not at all!
Roosevelt is notoriously corrupt. Let’s not forget the garbage bins and fertilizer scandals. The sum of less than $400in a government saving account where $5Mwas deposited for many months to finance the international airport. I could tarry on ad nauseam.Roosevelt’s record is spotty at best.
Birds of one feather flock together. Only rogues, rascals and others of questionable character can support such a conniving, crooked person of extreme dubious character.
Do I have to always remind you of your silliness. Why are you calling people noblemen and respectful, do you know these men to call them noble and respectful. Someone echoing your narrative does not make them noble. Do the words reason and truth resonate with you, It does not seem so, you are possessed by partisan political beliefs, so long.
Allen Chastanet destroyed the St Lucia UWP which was formed by the late Sir John Compton. At the last election won by the St Lucia Labour Party, two UWP members who won their seat defected to the Labour party.
Mr.Chastanet,Dominica is an independent country and the government will do everything in the interest and benefit of Dominicans.Who want to put sanctions that is their business.This Labour party government headed by Skerrit is the best in the history of Dominica.When UWP won election in 1995 Dominica population according to Microtrends.net and Dominica Historical Population Data was 69,201when the were kicked out in 2000,it was 68,346 between 1995 and 2000 under UWP 855 left Dominica.Today the population is 73,368.Since Labour took over the population has increased by 5,022.During that time Clear harbour have employed 1,300,NEP 5,000,Yes we care 300,more than 2,700 receiving $300 monthly.More police,teaches,nurses and firemen have been employed.Not counting employment on the cable car,geothermal and airport.It mean therefore Labour have employed more people that the 5,000 rise in population under their watch.It is a fact the Labour have employed hundreds that were unemployed under UWP
@Lin Clown
@Lin Clown
@Lin Clown
With this kind of accomplishment you as a CLOWN are just giving reasons why Skerrit has been such a huge failure. So that’s Skerrits achievement 20 years as Prime Minister and 24 years in government?
No wonder so many people call you a CLOWN!
Lin Clown!
Chastenet why are you boasting about being the next possible Prime Minister of St. Lucia? You seem to forget why the people of St. Lucia did not re-elect you? You are the first one to create a laughingstock in the Caribbean by not paying your staff salaries and allowing them to starve while you were in office telling them that the CBI was not working when it actually was working for you. Where did all your CBI money go? Who did you give the scampy deals? Whose companies received all the bids while you were in power? You should be ashamed to speak of laughing stock. Tell the people about your history of the boy who could not learn and has to be sent to special school for special children hidden in a French territory so that people would not find out that you are an inbrain. You cannot compare yourself with the Dominican Prime Minister who has been able to hold office and pay the public officers even after a severe hurricane like Maria.
… You just described Rosevelt Skerrit
Nothing new here. Under Roosevelt Skerrit and this Labour party we all know that Dominica fell from grace! Dominicans know that Skerrit is unfit to be a leader but those who get to pull his strings, take advantage of his stupidity and benefit from it are happy to keep him in office! Let’s look at them: Charles Saverin got what he always wanted, President of Dominica, Dr. Donald Peters got what he always craved, President of some college anywhere, Tongue Insurance got his illiterate son in government position, the Nassiefs got what they wanted, the Astaphans got what they wanted, the Poponnes got what they wanted, the Greens got what they wanted, Whitchurch got what it wanted, and the list goes on! Poor people may be voting for Labour out of their dotishness but the real beneficiaries are Dominica’s business class, because Skerrit likes friends in high places! This is why they tell you do not patronize any business that does not support Labour party! These wicked people curse…
instead on looking at the merit of what he is saying immediately go into defense mode. Haiti didn’t become like it is over night. bit by bit forces worked towards taking it down brick by brick inside and outside. a few got rich, millions got poor. let’s just keep focusing on men. this may not be posted but oh well
There is absolutely zero merit to that bag of hot air. Pure BS. He probably was even intoxicated when he made those remarks. Caribbean politicians know our story and respect us for the progress that we are making; Chastanet is no different. That statement was just podium gutter gibberish.
I bet if you meet him at an airport somewhere and try to engage him on this statement, he will sheepishly tell you that his statement was just loose political rhetoric that was intended to lash out at the friend of his enemy who had made a statement that did not favour him.
Remember Chastanet’s response when he was told that it seemed that Linton had plagiarised his speeches? (Check DNO’s September 2014 archives. )The dude cannot be taken seriously when he speaks.
his name has NEVER been mentioned in CBI corruption
It is easy to mention names in relation to crimes and misdemeanours, you know. It is very different to build a plausible argument that can hold up to scrutiny. The UWPwee for decades has pinned every DLP leader and every Dominican associated with the DLP to “corruption,” with zero impact on the criminal records of any of its unfortunate targets or the national vote. So I do not believe that you should take comfort in Chastanet’s name (or that of any of your idols) not being linked to CBI corruption.
my Dominica had money playing d fool…bringing down big artists around election….now he crying money not coming….keep crying…u have people leaving free in them apartment making like they cannot pay a fee….keep crying….now are are taxing the very same people u claim to like….u need to go….u stayed just to long in office….all your passport agents are crying….waiting on money to come…let them cry…..they have to hold you accountable for all those nonsense….u are the richest PM to date …..now u only seeing $$$ how much richer can u get? bastareds
I wonder if that is the same UK that is involved in funding the USD 49.2 million road project in Dominica.Just like Linton and Fontaine will never be Prime Minister of Dominica,Chastanet will never be Prime Minister of St.Lucia.
He’s not wrong about CBI and corruption.
Tell Chastanet if he wants relevant, don’t use Dominica, please leave Dominica and our PM out of his mouth.
Here is a Dominica no name supporting Roosevelt stupidity, even when outsiders recognized and exposed how incompetent, and corrupt is Roosevelt! Dominica has long been a laughing stock in the Caribbean and the rest of the world. Although the focus is now on the CBI money which is controlled by a foreigner that Roosevelt does not know which of the different names and aliases, he use is his real name!
What can an uneducated inept man like Roosevelt say to have any effect on “pricked” Chastanet?
Here is the difference!
” Allen Chastanet holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Political Science. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Development Banking. He obtained these from Bishops University in Quebec and American University in Washington D.C. respectively.”
Roosevelt bought two useless pieces of paper with the letters Ph. D which are supposed to be honorary degrees, they are not academically earned, from none accredited schools. He is a fraud, want to be doctor!
Why are you so silly with your worship of academic credentials, lol. Why do you believe that someone’s academic credentials bestowed by an institution make that person a great leader of men. Making all your statements and descriptions about The PM and Dominica with your perceptions accomplishes nothing, it only showcases your EGO, that’s all. Your accolades of Allen Chastanet for his Academic accomplishments did not make him a favorable leader to St.Lucians which is why he was removed from office after
serving one term.
When you make such a statement “CBI money which is controlled by a foreigner” do you have evidence to tell us who that foreigner
is, and if you did why don’t you provide evidence to Anand Ramlogan and his team, so long Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque for your opinion.
Gary, for the development of your mind only; there is a simple metaphor which goes like this: ” been there done that.” Unless one experience the hard hours of studying, and dedication in addition to the sacrifices one makes to accomplish an academic degree, they cannot learn to appreciate the academic credentials of others or their very own!
You see Gary, a degree in any academic discipline is not easy to obtain, hence I am able not to worship academic credentials; but admire those of us who were able to spend more than four years beating the text books, listening to the lectures, taking our exams and passing the test.
Unlike you, and Roosevelt, and especially Roosevelt Skerrit, without any academics, whose endeavor was to buy two bits of useless paper; believing people would call him doctor Skerrit, or sir!
You know Roosevelt is also a Knight?
Hahahahahahahahahah!
What happen in Guyana, when he attended that meeting, Trinidad:
Be Back.
Gary boy, I come back again to finish beating up on you and the triple doctor, or is it the double doctor sir knight Roosevelt Skerrit?
Hahahahahahahahahahahha!
Gary; Roosevelt Skerrit attended a meeting in Guyana with heads of States of the Caribbean, during the introduction , the only Prime Minister whom was introduced as doctor was Keith Rowley out of Trinidad; he is a volcanologists with a doctorate in geology, and specializing in geochemistry.
If they introduced Roosevelt as doctor, it would be an insult to the Keith Rowley, and the rest of the academically educated in the conference. Roosevelt cannot even introduce himself to anyone by saying I am Dr. Skerrit.
And that’s the dilemma of having an honorary degree, and if the none accredited institutions which took Roosevelt money were not crooked, knowing Roosevelt is a crooked man a damn thi.., they would long have resend the honorary degree they sold to him you see!
Bill Crosby matter is a precedent to that!
“Laughing stock of the world” is hyperbole.
Is Skerrit a crook? Most certainly.
Hmm! Seems the World Boss said something in that interview that really pricked Chastanet. Heheh!
Dominica try talk to u.k government free visa in Dominica passport
Chastanet is not my favourite politician but he is precisely right about Roosevelt and his regime which is a concoction of Liars, Crooks, Sinners, Thugs and vainglorious, intellectual lightweights.
Using Dominica’s CBI scheme as a template for others is an insanely thing to do. Dominica’s CBI is fraught with corrupt practices. Billions of dollars are unaccountable for as if it has disappeared in a black hole.
Has anyone ever heard Richard Federico campaigned? He is loud and obnoxious, and curses like a hopeless drunk.
“Using Dominica’s CBI scheme as a template for others is an insanely thing to do.”
And yet, this is exactly what is happening in the region and elsewhere. Dominica’s programme and the use of the revenue, a.k.a the Dominican Model, is studied and replicated in many jurisdictions.
Doh toofay on this reality, Ibo; embrace it because it translates into more opportunities for you too, i.e if you are not yet too fehyan.