SUMMARY

[Note to reader: this Country page primarily contains brief information about state-based violence during the period 1946-1974, and to some extent 1975-1988. For more detailed information on organized violence after 1989, please consult the specific Conflict and Dyad pages available on the left-hand side of this page. These pages contain more detailed information regarding all three categories of organized violence in this country from 1989 and onwards (when applicable), as well as detailed information about state-based violence 1975-1988. The left-hand side menu also contains links to Actor pages for all groups involved in organized violence since 1989 in this country, as well as actors involved in state-based violence 1975-1988.]

After nearly two centuries of British rule, Grenada was granted independence in 1974. Upon independence, the country retained the British Westminster parliamentary system and Sir Eric Gairy was elected as Grenadas first prime minister. Under Gairys rule popular disillusionment grew, which led to a bloodless coup of his regime in 1979 by a left-wing group called the New Jewel Movement; the movement subsequently established the People's Revolutionary Government (PRG).

The PRG, headed by Maurice Bishop, rejected the Westminister system and allied itself with the communist bloc, primarily with Cuba. In October 1983, a power struggle within the PRG resulted in the arrest and execution of Bishop and members of his cabinet at the order of his Deputy Prime Minister, Bernard Coard and the military.

Though the Reagan administration in the USA was concerned about Grenadas geopolitical alignment prior to the coup against Bishop, that concern grew when the new hard-line Coard faction seized power. Furthermore, a strong appeal to invade Grenada came from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The presence of 500 American students on the island came to serve as the justification for the subsequent US invasion. On October 25 1983, some 8,000 US troops alongside a small Caribbean contingent invaded Grenada and a three-day long interstate conflict unfolded which ended in victory for the invaders.

In the aftermath of the invasion, which was supported by a large percentage of the Grenadian populace, a Caribbean peacekeeping force relieved the American troops and elections were held in 1984, in which moderate Herbert Blaize was elected prime minister.

Since 1946 Grenada has experienced the interstate category of UCDP organized violence.