Several leaders from across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are extending congratulations to Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who secured her second term as head of government, hours after leading a second landslide general election victory for the Barbados Labour Party (BLP).

As at 3:22 pm Eastern Time on Thursday (January 20), official salutes have been issued by respective prime ministers of Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts, St Lucia and St Vincent.

Statements were yet to be released by leaders from Bahamas, Belize, Haiti, Montserrat, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Here is a roundup of the reactions:

Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines

“I want to on behalf of the Government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines offer sincerest and heartiest congratulations to my dear friend Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and leader of the Barbados Labour Party, for the massive electoral victory in yesterday’s elections. Another 30-nil. It is simply extraordinary and what this victory indicates is that Caribbean people are not prepared to tolerate noises, discordant noises from persons who don’t represent individuals in the country but who go about maligning people. The people prefer an uplifting, developmental narrative. It is heartening to see people listening and voting for what is structured and organised and with quality leadership.”

Irfaan Ali, president of Guyana

“Dear colleague,

On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, I extend warmest congratulations to you on your election to serve a second term as Prime Minister of Barbados. We also congratulate the Barbadian people for once again demonstrating their commitment to democracy. Your re-election provides us with the opportunity to concretise the plans and programmes that we have discussed to build on the cooperation between Guyana and Barbados. I look forward as well, to our continued collaboration at the regional level, as we endeavour to advance our integration process and secure the benefits that our peoples deserve. Please accept, dear colleague, my best wishes for success in your new tenure and the renewed assurances of my high esteem.”

Keith Mitchell, prime minister of Grenada

“The results represent an overwhelming vote of confidence in the BLP administration. The Barbadian electorate has essentially opted for continuation of the tremendous work that Sister Mia and her team have been doing. Yes the times are difficult, with an unprecedented pandemic that just seems to go on and on, but there are many other important facets to leadership at this time, and the people are obviously of the opinion that the BLP has done a good job thus far. With the new mandate, the administration needs to continue fulfilling its promises to the people of Barbados, uniting the people of the country and managing the ongoing crisis.”

Andrew Holness, prime minister of Jamaica

“Congratulations to Prime Minister Mia Mottley who was re-elected to represent the people of Barbados. We are confident that under your leadership, Jamaica and Barbados will continue to share strong bilateral relationships.”

Gaston Brown, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda

“We both acknowledged that there is a lot of work to be done. I pledged to continue to collaborate on regional, hemispheric and international issues,” he told the Antigua Observer after speaking briefly with Mottley.

Timothy Harris, prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis

“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Mia Mottley on her historic second landslide victory taking all 30 seats at stake. This is great news for #Barbados as well as for the region. I look forward to ongoing collaboration.”

Roosevelt Skerrit, prime minister of Dominica

“On behalf of the Government and People of Dominica, I extend warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley, on her party’s resounding victory in the January, 19 general elections. The decisive nature of the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) win is a sign of confidence in Prime Minister Mottley’s leadership and her ability to steer the newly-established republic to growth and prosperity.
I assure Prime Minister Mottley of Dominica’s friendship and support; and I look forward to continued collaboration as we advance the common interests of our region.”

Philip J Pierre, prime minister of St Lucia

“I would like to publicly congratulate comrade Mia Amor Mottley and the Barbados Labour Party on another resounding victory. The people of Barbados have spoken and have entrusted you and your team to continue to put them first. I look forward to working with you as we advance the regional agenda for sustainable growth and development.”

Related articles:

• Mottley records second consecutive clean sweep in Barbados election victory
• PNP congratulates Mottley’s BLP for Barbados general elections victory