Army troops led by General Hudson Austin have overthrown the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada, executed Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and six leading members of the New Jewel Movement, including at least four ministers and two major leaders of the trade unions, as well as of other mass organizations.
The very fact that important sections of the Grenadian people have demonstrated in the streets of St. George against the overthrow of Bishop, and that the army has responded by imposing a curfew proves that the new rulers have in no way acted in defense of the interests and aspirations of the toiling masses. Furthermore, the communique by the Cuban government indicates that, contrary to the disinformation ploy of Washington and the international capitalist press, the Cuban leadership has condemned the actions of Austin and company.
The Fourth International categorically denounces these actions and states that those responsible for such crimes have to be punished by the Grenadian people.
The People's Revolutionary Government under the leadership of Maurice Bishop and the New Jewel Movement since the very beginning had carried out wide-ranging social, political and economic changes that benefitted the working masses.
The overthrow of the PRG represents a devastating blow to the Grenadian revolution, and it will have a negative impact on the struggles of oppressed people, first of all in the Caribbean and in Central America.
Since the victory of the revolution, Grenada became a target of imperialist attacks, of economic and political pressures, of blackmail and threats of direct aggression. In the context of the present crisis, imperialism will try by every means to finish off the revolution. A ten-ship U.S. task force carrying 1,900 Marines was immediately sent towards the coast of Grenada under the guise of protecting U.S. citizens there.
The Fourth International denounces all these imperialist manoeuvres, which are aimed not only at Grenada but also at the revolutionary government in Nicaragua, all the revolutions in Central America and the Cuban workers state. It appeals to the revolutionary organisations and the working class to continue and to intensify the worldwide campaign in support of the revolutionary regimes and movements in the Caribbean and Central America.
Working people and all supporters of the Grenadian revolution should stand guard and fight:
— For an immediate end to the curfew and all the repressive measures, and for the reestablishment of all democratic rights for the masses!
— Against all the imperialist manoeuvres in the region and for the immediate withdrawal of all imperialist armed forces from all the countries of Central America and the Caribbean!
— For the defense of the revolutionary achievements of the workers and farmers of Grenada!
— Imperialist Hands Off Grenada!
United Secretariat of the Fourth International October 23, 1983