By admin 
The people of the Garifuna community are celebrating a long-awaited victory after St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) secured ownership of Baliceaux, an island of deep historical and cultural significance where thousands of their ancestors perished.
Baliceaux, an uninhabited island, holds sacred meaning for the Garifuna people—descendants of enslaved Africans and Indigenous Kalinago and Arawak groups. In 1796, British forces forcibly removed around 5,000 Garifuna from mainland St Vincent, stranding them on the barren island in an effort to suppress resistance against colonization.
Deprived of shelter, food, and water, nearly half of the exiled population succumbed to starvation and disease before British ships returned a year later to transport the survivors to Roatán, an island off the coast of Honduras.
Today, the Garifuna population of around 600,000 people, spread across different parts of the world, regards Baliceaux as a sacred memorial to their ancestors. For years, activists have fought to reclaim the island from private ownership and have it recognized as a heritage site.
On Thursday, SVG Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves announced in parliament that the government had finalized the island’s acquisition due to its immense historical importance.
“The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, given the historic importance of Baliceaux, has taken the decision to acquire Baliceaux,” Gonsalves stated, assuring lawmakers that the previous owners would receive fair compensation within a reasonable timeframe.
Garifuna activist Ubafu Topsey from Belize, who has been a leading voice in the campaign to reclaim Baliceaux, welcomed the announcement with excitement.
“We are ecstatic that the government of SVG is doing the right thing for us. [Gonsalves] put his money where his mouth is. He made his promise a reality,” Topsey said.
As preparations continue for the annual Garifuna pilgrimage to Baliceaux on March 14—SVG’s National Heroes Day, commemorating Garifuna leader Joseph Chatoyer—Topsey said this year’s gathering would be especially meaningful.
“This is our homeland… and every Garifuna around the world understands that these are holy, sacred grounds. We are just so thankful and joyful,” she added.
Topsey hopes the island will one day be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving the memory of the Garifuna people, whom she describes as “transnational” and “borderless.”
She also expressed the desire to see the island’s landscape rejuvenated.
“The barrenness of Baliceaux is a painful reminder of our suffering. Moving forward, we must heal beyond the pain and create unlimited possibilities for future generations,” she said.
Princess Eulogia Gordon, a California-based publicist and Garifuna advocate, described the acquisition as a milestone for unity.
“Baliceaux doesn’t just belong to us. This is bigger than us. This is truly about unity, family, and togetherness,” she said.
Gill Bikram Singh