Politics
Grenada downgrades Consular Office in New York
The Grenada government has closed the doors of its Consular Office in New York as it seeks to conform to international regulations regarding the appointment of a Consular General.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nicholas Steele said the office is being downgraded to an Honorary Consular Office following the appointment of Derrick James to the post of Honorary Consul.
He said James is a US citizen and according to international relations regulations the citizen of a country cannot represents another country in the post of Consul General.
“Yes, the office will be closed but it will be re-opened for the Honorary Consul General to continue to serve the Grenadian public there,” Steele said, adding “it’s a formality because the office is no longer operating at the same level, so we have to close and reopen”.
Grenada opened the Consulate Office after it gained independence from Britain in 1974 and this is the first time a non-Grenadian national is being appointed to the post.
James was originally proposed by the former Tillman Thomas administration but he was not accepted by the United States because of his citizenship.
But he continued using the title until Washington officially wrote to the Grenada government reminding them that the last appointed Consul General was Allen McGuire whose services end in 2008.
