The new Consul General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United States, Roland U.C. “Patel” Matthews, says he has taken up the mantle with “an open mind and a strong sense of purpose.”
On Friday, March 27, the Consulate General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United States announced the appointment of Matthews as consul general, replacing Rondy “Luta” McIntosh.
Matthews, a former parliamentarian, formally assumed office on March 1, 2026, the Consulate General said.
He said, “The consulate is a bridge between St. Vincent and the Grenadines, its Diaspora, and U.S. partners. My focus is on modernization and efficiency, ensuring we evolve with technology to serve the Vincentian community.”
“Enhancing service and efficiency for our Diaspora is central to my agenda,” he added.
He said, “The consulate is a bridge between St. Vincent and the Grenadines, its Diaspora, and U.S. partners. My focus is on modernization and efficiency, ensuring we evolve with technology to serve the Vincentian community.”
“Enhancing service and efficiency for our Diaspora is central to my agenda,” he added.
Matthews continued, “I also plan to strengthen partnerships and cultivate resource-generating relationships.”
He added, “By engaging our indigenous Diaspora with targeted initiatives, we can promote culture, spur tourism, and attract investment.”
He added, “By engaging our indigenous Diaspora with targeted initiatives, we can promote culture, spur tourism, and attract investment.”
The new consul general also said one of his key objectives is to foster unity among Vincentians in the Diaspora.
“I’m committed to avoiding political divisions,” he said. “My aim is to harness our nationals’ expertise for national development beyond partisan lines.”
Matthews said serving as consul general was not originally a personal aspiration.
“I’m committed to avoiding political divisions,” he said. “My aim is to harness our nationals’ expertise for national development beyond partisan lines.”
Matthews said serving as consul general was not originally a personal aspiration.
When invited to consider the position, he said he “reflected carefully before accepting.”
“My decision was guided by my commitment to serve my country at the highest level,” Matthews said. “After a decade in parliament, this role is a continuation of that service.”
“My decision was guided by my commitment to serve my country at the highest level,” Matthews said. “After a decade in parliament, this role is a continuation of that service.”
The new consul general said that since assuming office on March 1, 2026, his first 26 days have been “both productive and encouraging.”
He said, “We are prioritizing impact in education, investment, and Diaspora engagement. Partnerships have yielded scholarships and supported medical school expansion.”
“We are also laying the groundwork for a comprehensive Diaspora investment framework to better connect skills and capital to national priorities,” he added.
He said, “We are prioritizing impact in education, investment, and Diaspora engagement. Partnerships have yielded scholarships and supported medical school expansion.”
“We are also laying the groundwork for a comprehensive Diaspora investment framework to better connect skills and capital to national priorities,” he added.
Matthews said a concept note has been drafted and received ministerial support to begin diaspora investment initiatives.
He said the aim is to bridge the gap between the US and SVG and leverage Diaspora contributions beyond remittances.
He said the aim is to bridge the gap between the US and SVG and leverage Diaspora contributions beyond remittances.
Matthews said more details and a “soft launch” of the project will be shared soon.
He said the Consulate is also strengthening partnerships, engaging groups such as the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Ethniv, and the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in New York.
He said efforts are underway to raise St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ cultural profile, including a cultural day for students at Columbia University.
He said the Consulate is also strengthening partnerships, engaging groups such as the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Ethniv, and the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in New York.
He said efforts are underway to raise St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ cultural profile, including a cultural day for students at Columbia University.
Matthews said the Consulate General’s work now extends to national security and capacity-building.
He said this includes talks on close protection training for police to improve professional standards and national safety.
He said this includes talks on close protection training for police to improve professional standards and national safety.
Matthews said the Consulate is focused on improving operations and raising awareness of its functions.
“These early steps show our results-driven approach to positioning the Consulate as a bridge for development between the US and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.
“These early steps show our results-driven approach to positioning the Consulate as a bridge for development between the US and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.
A distinguished public servant with over three decades of experience, the Consulate General said in a statement that Matthews brings “a wealth of knowledge in governance, education, diplomacy, and community development.”
It said that Matthews’s appointment reflects the incumbent New Democratic Party administration’s “continued commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and advancing strategic engagement with the United States, including in the areas of trade, investment, and Diaspora relations.”
It said that Matthews’s appointment reflects the incumbent New Democratic Party administration’s “continued commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and advancing strategic engagement with the United States, including in the areas of trade, investment, and Diaspora relations.”
The Consulate General said Matthews previously served as the elected Parliamentary Representative for the North Leeward Constituency from 2010 to 2020, “where he played an active role in national policy discussions and development initiatives.”
During his tenure, the Consulate General said he also held the position of Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, and contributed to regional efforts on food security and sustainable development through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-initiated Parliamentary Front Against Hunger.
The Consulate General said Matthews’s professional background includes service as a research officer to the Leader of the Opposition, as well as a career in education, where he taught history, social studies, and woodwork at the secondary level.
Matthews holds a Bachelor of Arts (honors) in history, with a minor in government, from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, along with additional qualifications in national development and education, the Consulate General said.
In addition to his professional achievements, the Consulate General said Matthews has “demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to community engagement and youth development.”
It said he currently serves as president of the Petit Bordel Educational and Cultural Organization and has been “actively involved” in several cultural and sporting initiatives.
“As consul general, Mr. Matthews will play a central role in representing the interests of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the United States, fostering stronger bilateral relations, supporting the Vincentian Diaspora, and promoting economic and cultural partnerships,” the Consulate General said.
Asked about his legacy, Matthews said, “I’m not focused on recognition. My tenure will be judged by achievements.”
“As consul general, Mr. Matthews will play a central role in representing the interests of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the United States, fostering stronger bilateral relations, supporting the Vincentian Diaspora, and promoting economic and cultural partnerships,” the Consulate General said.
Asked about his legacy, Matthews said, “I’m not focused on recognition. My tenure will be judged by achievements.”
“My goal is diligent service in the Vincentian people’s best interest. Efficiency and professionalism are key; our services must be timely and of high standard,” he said.
Matthews added, “Vincentians should feel pride and confidence after visiting our consulate. Their concerns must be addressed effectively, reflecting our nation’s dignity and excellence.”
Matthews added, “Vincentians should feel pride and confidence after visiting our consulate. Their concerns must be addressed effectively, reflecting our nation’s dignity and excellence.”
