Peters rejects claim of ULP role in international coverage of Green Hill shooting 

By Val Matthias. Updated 7:14 a.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Opposition Senator Keisal Peters has rejected allegations that supporters of the Unity Labour Party provided international news outlets with information about the mass shooting in Green Hill, calling the claim “senseless, baseless and reckless”.

Speaking on Star Radio on Tuesday, September 29, Peters said the allegation had contributed to political division following the September 25 shooting, which left four people dead and four injured.

She said the accusations had emerged amid what she described as a “manufactured fallout” surrounding the response to the tragedy.

Peters said she had observed exchanges between ULP and NDP supporters over the claim and questioned how the country could heal while such allegations continued to be made.

“I am encouraging everybody who is promulgating this nonsensical idea that somehow the Unity Labour Party sent information to news outlets. I am encouraging y’all, please stop the nonsense,” Peters said.

She argued that the ULP, like other Vincentians, does not welcome incidents such as mass shootings and murders.

“We don’t relish when there’s a mass shooting. We don’t relish when there’s a murder because that is one life lost,” she said.

Peters said such incidents also affect the country’s reputation.

She said the continued allegations could deepen political divisions, particularly when one side is repeatedly forced to defend itself against accusations.

“We will always be divided if one side is always having to defend themselves against allegations,” Peters said.

Peters also sought to explain how information about an incident in St Vincent and the Grenadines can quickly reach audiences beyond the country.

She said an event occurring in one village can become a national issue “with one click”, a regional issue with another click, and an international issue with another.

Peters, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the flow of information is not limited to news organisations.

She pointed to the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying officials routinely monitor international developments and receive briefings on events around the world.

She said the ministry’s foreign policy and research department includes a bilateral unit that monitors developments across different regions, including Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, Europe and Russia, and the Middle East.

Peters argued that if a relatively small foreign affairs ministry can monitor events around the world, international news organisations can also track developments in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“If our little Ministry of Foreign Affairs can keep track of what is happening worldwide, what stops international news outlets from keeping track of what is happening worldwide?” she asked.

Peters’ comments come amid an ongoing public discussion over how information about the Green Hill shooting reached international media.

Her remarks reject the allegation involving ULP supporters, but she did not identify who, if anyone, provided information to international news organizations.

Major regional and international outlets, including AP and Al Jazeera, reported the killings while specifically identifying SVG as a tourism destination.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]