Grenada’s Presidential Genesis: The First to Lead

Sir Eric Matthew Gairy was the first Prime Minister of Grenada, serving twice from 1967 to 1979 and again from 1983 to 1984. He was born on February 18, 1922, in St. Andrew’s, Grenada, to James Gairy and Olga Gairy. His ethnicity was Afro-Grenadian.

Gairy’s political career began in 1950 when he was elected to the Grenada Legislative Council. He founded the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) in 1951 and led the party to victory in the 1961 and 1962 general elections. In 1967, Grenada attained independence from the United Kingdom, and Gairy became the country’s first Prime Minister.

Gairy’s first term as Prime Minister was marked by economic growth and development. He introduced a number of social welfare programs, including free education and healthcare. He also promoted the development of tourism and agriculture.

However, Gairy’s rule became increasingly authoritarian in the early 1970s. He cracked down on the opposition and restricted freedom of the press. In 1973, he declared a state of emergency and suspended the constitution. This led to widespread protests and eventually to a military coup in 1979.

Gairy was arrested and removed from office. He went into exile in the United States but returned to Grenada in 1983 and was re-elected as Prime Minister. However, his second term lasted only a year before he was overthrown in another military coup in 1984.

Gairy died in St. George’s, Grenada, on August 23, 1997, at the age of 75. He remains a controversial figure in Grenadian history. His achievements include the introduction of social welfare programs and the promotion of economic development. However, he is also remembered for his authoritarian rule and his suppression of dissent.

Gairy was a charismatic and popular leader who enjoyed widespread support among the Grenadian people.
He was a strong advocate for self-government and independence for Grenada.
He introduced a number of social welfare programs, including free education and healthcare.
He promoted the development of tourism and agriculture.
He became increasingly authoritarian in the early 1970s and cracked down on the opposition.
He was overthrown in a military coup in 1979.
He was re-elected as Prime Minister in 1983 but was overthrown again in another military coup in 1984.
He died in St. George’s, Grenada, on August 23, 1997, at the age of 75.

The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.
The power of the presidency has grown substantially since the first president, George Washington, took office in 1789. While presidential power has ebbed and flowed over time, the presidency has played an increasingly significant role in American political life since the beginning of the 20th century, carrying over into the 21st century with notable expansions during the presidencies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and George W. Bush. In modern times, the president is one of the world's most powerful political figures and the leader of the world's only remaining superpower. As the leader of the nation with the largest economy by nominal GDP, the president possesses significant domestic and international hard and soft power.
Article II of the Constitution establishes the executive branch of the federal government and vests executive power in the president. The power includes the execution and enforcement of federal law and the responsibility to appoint federal executive, diplomatic, regulatory, and judicial officers. Based on constitutional provisions empowering the president to appoint and receive ambassadors and conclude treaties with foreign powers, and on subsequent laws enacted by Congress, the modern presidency has primary responsibility for conducting U.S. foreign policy. The role includes responsibility for directing the world's most expensive military, which has the second-largest nuclear arsenal.
The president also plays a leading role in federal legislation and domestic policymaking. As part of the system of separation of powers, Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution gives the president the power to sign or veto federal legislation. Since modern presidents are typically viewed as leaders of their political parties, major policymaking is significantly shaped by the outcome of presidential elections, with presidents taking an active role in promoting their policy priorities to members of Congress who are often electorally dependent on the president. In recent decades, presidents have also made increasing use of executive orders, agency regulations, and judicial appointments to shape domestic policy.
The president is elected indirectly through the Electoral College to a four-year term, along with the vice president. Under the Twenty-second Amendment, ratified in 1951, no person who has been elected to two presidential terms may be elected to a third. In addition, nine vice presidents have become president by virtue of a president's intra-term death or resignation. In all, 45 individuals have served 46 presidencies spanning 58 four-year terms. Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States, having assumed office at noon EST on January 20, 2021.

Emblem of Grenada

To enrich your insights into presidential figures worldwide, also explore some prominent first presidents from other countries, such as Greece, Ghana and Germany. Delving into the leadership journeys of these figures can offer valuable perspectives on their historical significance and pivotal roles in shaping global politics.

The United States invasion of Grenada began at dawn on 25 October 1983. The United States and a coalition of six Caribbean nations invaded the island nation of Grenada, 100 miles (160 km) north of Venezuela. Codenamed Operation Urgent Fury by the U.S. military, it resulted in military occupation within a few days. It was triggered by the strife within the People's Revolutionary Government, which resulted in the house arrest and execution of the previous leader and second Prime Minister of Grenada, Maurice Bishop, and the establishment of the Revolutionary Military Council, with Hudson Austin as chairman. The invasion resulted in the appointment of an interim government, followed by elections in 1984.
Grenada had gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1974. The Communist New Jewel Movement seized power in a nearly bloodless coup in 1979 under Maurice Bishop suspending the constitution and detaining several political prisoners. In September 1983, an internal power struggle began over Bishop's leadership performance. Bishop was pressured at a party meeting to share power with Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard. Bishop initially agreed, but later balked. He was put under house arrest by his own party's Central Committee until he relented. When his secret detention became widely known, Bishop was freed by an aroused crowd of his supporters. Bishop made his way to the army headquarters at Fort Rupert (known today as Fort George). After he arrived, a military force was dispatched from Fort Frederick to Fort Rupert. Bishop and seven others, including cabinet ministers, were captured. Then a four-man People's Revolutionary Army firing squad executed Bishop, three members of his Cabinet and four others by machine-gunning them.
The Reagan administration mounted a US military intervention following receipt of a formal appeal for help from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, which had received a covert appeal for assistance from the Governor-General of Grenada, Paul Scoon (though he put off signing the formal letter of invitation until 26 October). President Reagan stated that he felt compelled to act due to "concerns over the 600 U.S. medical students on the island" and fears of a repeat of the Iran hostage crisis, which ended less than three years earlier. According to the future United States Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger, who was serving as Reagan's Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs at the time of the invasion, the prime motivation for the US intervention was to "get rid" of the coup leader Hudson Austin, and the students were the pretext. While the invasion followed the execution of Maurice Bishop, his party members intending to gain power still maintained his communist ideologies. President Reagan expressed that he viewed this, alongside the party's growing connection to Fidel Castro, as a threat to democracy.The invading force consisted of the 1st and 2nd battalions of the US Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, and elements of the former Rapid Deployment Force, U.S. Marines, US Army Delta Force, Navy SEALs, and ancillary forces, totaling 7,600 troops, together with Jamaican forces and troops of the Regional Security System (RSS). The force defeated Grenadian resistance after a low-altitude airborne assault by the Rangers and 82nd Airborne on Point Salines Airport, at the south end of the island, and a Marine helicopter and amphibious landing on the north end, at Pearls Airport. Austin's military government was deposed and replaced, with Scoon as Governor-General, by an interim advisory council until the 1984 elections.
The invasion was criticized by many countries. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher privately disapproved of the mission, in part because she was not consulted in advance and was given very short notice of the military operation, but she supported it in the press. The United Nations General Assembly condemned it as "a flagrant violation of international law" on 2 November 1983, by a vote of 108 to 9.The date of the invasion is now a national holiday in Grenada, called Thanksgiving Day, commemorating the freeing of several political prisoners who were subsequently elected to office. A truth and reconciliation commission was launched in 2000 to re-examine some of the controversies of the era; in particular, the Commission made an unsuccessful attempt to find Bishop's body, which had been disposed of at Austin's order and never found.
The invasion highlighted issues with communication and coordination between the different branches of the American military when operating together as a joint force, triggering post action investigations resulting in sweeping operational changes in the form of the Goldwater-Nichols Act and other reorganizations.

The official residence and symbol of the Grenada President

10 Iconic Presidents Who Shaped Grenada’s History

The President's Office in Grenada — The President’s Office in Grenada

Grenada is a small island country located in the Caribbean. Over the years, it has had several popular presidents who have made significant contributions to the nation’s development. Here are ten of the most popular presidents from Grenada:

1. Sir Eric Gairy: Serving as the first prime minister and later president of Grenada, Sir Eric Gairy was a charismatic leader who fought for workers’ rights and advocated for the development of the nation. His leadership style made him a beloved figure among the population.
2. Maurice Bishop: Maurice Bishop became popular for leading the Grenadian Revolution in 1979, establishing the People’s Revolutionary Government. His policies focused on socio-economic reforms and improving the living conditions of the population, which earned him wide support.
3. Herbert Blaize: Herbert Blaize served as Grenada’s prime minister from 1984 to 1990 and was later elected as the country’s first president. His focus on economic development and attracting foreign investments made him a popular leader among the business community.
4. Nicholas Brathwaite: As Grenada’s president from 1990 to 1995, Nicholas Brathwaite was known for his vision of transforming the economy through sustainable agriculture, tourism, and offshore banking. His commitment to the development of Grenada garnered him widespread popularity.
5. Keith Mitchell: Keith Mitchell has served as Grenada’s prime minister since 1995 and is considered one of the country’s most popular politicians. Under his leadership, Grenada experienced significant economic growth and development, which has contributed to his popularity.
6. Tillman Thomas: Tillman Thomas became Grenada’s prime minister in 2008, and his leadership style emphasizing transparency and accountability resonated with the population. He is highly regarded for his efforts in tackling corruption and promoting good governance.
7. Ben Jones: Ben Jones served as president of Grenada from 2008 to 2013. His commitment to social development and poverty reduction initiatives made him a beloved figure among the marginalized communities in Grenada.
8. Keith C. Mitchell: Keith C. Mitchell, also known as “Doc,” has been serving as the prime minister of Grenada since 2013. His focus on education, healthcare, and job creation has made him a popular leader, particularly among the youth.
9. Yolande Bain-Horsford: Yolande Bain-Horsford served as the acting president of Grenada in 2008. She is highly regarded for her extensive experience in politics and public service, making her a respected figure in Grenada’s political landscape.
10. Chester Humphrey: Chester Humphrey, a trade unionist, served as Grenada’s president in 2013. He is well-known for advocating for workers’ rights and has been instrumental in shaping labor policies and social welfare programs in the country.

These popular presidents of Grenada have played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s politics, economy, and social development. Their contributions have left a lasting impact on the country and have endeared them to the Grenadian population.

Grenada

Grenada’s Presidential Genesis: The First to Lead

10 Iconic Presidents Who Shaped Grenada’s History

About the author

Konsorsium Biologi

Recent News

Media Partner

10 Iconic Presidents Who Shaped Grenada’s History

About the author

Konsorsium Biologi

Read more

Recent News

Popular Topics

Media Partner