Roland ‘Patel’ Matthews assumes role as St. Vincent Consul General to the United States

The newly appointed St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States, Roland U.C. ‘Patel’ Matthews, says he is entering his diplomatic posting with “an open mind and a strong sense of purpose.”

Matthews, a former legislator, succeeds Rondy ‘Luta’ McIntosh in the role.

“The consulate serves as a critical bridge between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and its Diaspora, as well as key partners in the United States,” Matthews told the Caribbean Media Corporation on Sunday following the announcement.

Matthews said his priorities are aligned with the national mandate from Kingstown, with a strong focus on modernization and improved service delivery.

“My priorities are aligned with the national mandate from Kingstown, but I am particularly focused on modernization and efficiency. The consulate must evolve with advancing technology to serve the Vincentian community better. Enhancing service delivery and improving efficiency for our Diaspora are central to my agenda,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships across strategic sectors to support national development.

“As a small state with limited resources, we must cultivate relationships with businesses and organizations that can generate mutual benefits,” Matthews added.

The new consul general said there is also significant untapped potential within the Vincentian Diaspora, particularly in areas such as cultural preservation, arts development, tourism, and investment.

Matthews noted that fostering unity among Vincentians abroad is another key objective.

“I am committed to avoiding the political divisions that can sometimes emerge abroad. Instead, I aim to harness the talent, expertise, and experience of our nationals in a way that transcends partisan lines and contributes meaningfully to national development,” he said.

Although Matthews said the position was not initially a personal aspiration, he explained that he accepted the role after careful reflection.

“Ultimately, my decision was guided by a longstanding commitment to serve my country at the highest possible level. Having spent a decade in parliamentary service, I view this role in New York as a natural continuation of my contribution to national development,” he said.

Matthews disclosed that the Consulate General has already begun implementing initiatives across education, investment, Diaspora engagement, and trade. He said the office has partnered with Leadership Initiatives to facilitate more than US$54,000 in scholarships for Vincentian students and has supported a US$10 million expansion of St. James School of Medicine.

At the same time, Matthews said groundwork is being laid for a comprehensive Diaspora investment framework designed to connect skills and capital with national priorities.

He revealed that the Consulate General has drafted a concept note titled “Enhancing Diaspora Investment in National Development Through Trade and Investment,” with support from Minister of Foreign Affairs Fitzgerald Bramble.

The initiative aims to strengthen ties between the host country and St. Vincent and the Grenadines while expanding the Diaspora’s contributions beyond remittances.

Matthews also highlighted efforts to strengthen partnerships with organizations such as the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Ethniv, and the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in New York.

He added that cultural initiatives are already underway, including support for a cultural day for Vincentian students at Columbia University.

Matthews said the Consulate General’s work also extends to national security and institutional capacity-building, including discussions to support close protection training for police officers aimed at strengthening professional standards and national safety.

“These early efforts reflect a focused and results-driven approach to positioning the Consulate as a vital bridge between opportunities in the United States and sustainable development at home,” Matthews said.

In a statement, the Consulate General described Matthews as a distinguished public servant with more than three decades of experience in governance, education, diplomacy, and community development. It noted that his appointment reflects the New Democratic Party administration’s continued commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations with the United States, particularly in trade, investment, and Diaspora engagement.

Matthews previously served as a research officer to the Leader of the Opposition and worked in education, teaching history, social studies, and woodwork at the secondary level.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in history with a minor in government from the University of the West Indies, along with additional qualifications in national development and education.

“My goal is to serve diligently and faithfully, always acting in the best interest of the Vincentian people,” Matthews said. “While our consulate is relatively small, efficiency and professionalism are our highest priorities. The services we provide must be timely, responsive, and of the highest standard.”