SVG PM GONSALVES TO CUBA FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000452

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR-BUDDEN, INR/IAA-CARHART
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL CU VC XL
SUBJECT: SVG PM GONSALVES TO CUBA FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT

Classified By: DCM Mary Ellen T. Gilroy for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Likely as a guest of the state, Prime
Minister Ralph Gonsalves will travel to Cuba April 13 for
medical treatment, rest, and relaxation following a car
accident in St. Vincent which resulted in his hospitalization
on April 9. He is planning to be gone at least two weeks.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) According to various sources, PM Gonsalves sustained
multiple injuries when his vehicle collided with a banana
truck on April 9 in St. Vincent. Gonsalves was reportedly
riding in the backseat of an SUV when it collided with the
oncoming truck; it is unclear whether he and his driver were
wearing seatbelts. Officials noted that the PM suffered
minor neck and face injuries as well as shoulder pain and
bruises on his abdomen. He lost two teeth and required five
stiches on his lips. Gonsalves's driver was in worse
condition, fracturing his neck and shoulder and spending the
night and much of the next day unconscious.


3. (SBU) PM Gonsalves was released from the hospital late
April 10. In addition to evaluating the injuries from the
accident, medical personnel assessed that PM Gonsalves has
high blood pressure and high cholesterol and needs to get
into better shape.


4. (U) Both PM Gonsalves and his driver are traveling to Cuba
on April 13 for further treatment. Minister of Health and
the Environment Dr. Douglas Slater and Personal Security
Sergeant Christopher Benjamin will accompany the Prime
Minister.


5. (C) Various members of government, including Permanent
Secretary for National Security Godfred Pompey, Press

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Secretary Hans King, and opposition Member of Parliament Dr.

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Godwin Friday, emphasized that PM Gonsalves's injuries are
not serious and are centralized around his mouth and teeth.
King claimed the primary purpose of trip to Cuba is rest
because the PM would receive too many phone calls if he
stayed in St. Vincent.


6. (C) Although the official press report says PM Gonsalves
will be gone at least two weeks, Pompey pessimistically
informed PolOff that he hoped it would not be much longer
than that. Government business will likely continue as usual
without the dominant presence of Gonsalves; MP Friday
confirmed that Parliament is still scheduled to convene on
April 26.


7. (C) COMMENT: PM Gonsalves's decision to travel to Cuba
for medical treatment is yet another illustration of his
strong relationship with Fidel Castro and Cuba. Previous
examples include three official trips to Cuba in 2005,
speaking at the Havana-hosted Conference of Heads of State
and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement in September 2006,
and accepting various forms of Cuban assistance, including
construction labor for the new airport, energy-efficient
light bulbs, and scholarships for nurses. Given the close
bilateral relationship throughout Gonsalves' tenure, Post
suspects Gonsalves is an official guest of the state of Cuba
and enjoying his medical treatment gratis.
OURISMAN