Former Grenada Senate President ready to protest against US radar equipment

Former Grenada Senate President Chester Humphrey says he is ready to lead a peaceful protest against what he describes as a dangerous U.S. military move in the Caribbean — the proposed installation of radar equipment and American technical personnel at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA).

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Humphrey, a veteran trade unionist and influential political figure, claimed that the U.S. request signals a potential prelude to military action against Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro government, a close ally of Grenada.

“It will be a grave stain on our history and against the memory of our forefathers for us to join in a war against a state that has done us nothing — a state that has helped us tremendously,” Humphrey told WPG10 Television. “By giving the United States our facilities…the very Maurice Bishop Airport, which they accused us of building as an air base, is now being used by the very Americans. Cuba built us this international airport — it was always civilian.”

Humphrey said he intends to launch a national peace movement urging Grenadians to stand in “defiance and in support of peace,” and to oppose what he views as the militarization of the Caribbean.

Last week, the Grenadian government confirmed it had received a formal request from the United States for the temporary installation of radar equipment at MBIA. In a statement, the Dickon Mitchell administration said the proposal is being carefully reviewed by the Ministries of National Security, Legal Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, along with the Grenada Airport Authority.

“Any decisions will be made only after all technical and legal assessments are completed,” the government said, assuring citizens that any action taken will prioritize Grenada’s sovereignty, national interest, and public safety.

However, Humphrey warned that recent U.S. actions — including the reported revocation of Grenada’s finance minister’s visa, calls to end the island’s health brigade program with Cuba, and trade restrictions on local seafood exports — are part of what he described as efforts to “soften” Grenada into cooperating with Washington’s broader geopolitical agenda.

“If we agree to this (U.S. radar request), it is like Grenada being the place from where an invasion occurred,” he said. “There are times in the lives of men when you have to stand for something. The worst thing you can do in the face of a bully is to run.”

Humphrey accused the U.S. of targeting Venezuela for its vast oil reserves, calling the pressure campaign against Maduro “a case of robbery.”

He also noted the irony of the timing, recalling that it was in October 1983 when U.S. forces invaded Grenada following the coup that led to the death of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop.

“It’s ironic that in October, the Americans are back again,” Humphrey said, adding that Grenada must not allow history to repeat itself.