News Americas, KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jan. 29, 2026: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Godwin Friday, has laid out his first national budget since taking office – and the figures reveal both ambition and constraint as his administration grapples with rising debt costs, disaster recovery, and tight revenue growth. Recurrent spending for 2026 – excluding debt amortization and sinking fund contributions – is projected at approximately US$374 million, leaving a current deficit of about US$39 million. Debt amortization alone jumps to US$100 million, up nearly 26%, while sinking fund contributions climb to US$9.3 million. Friday’s first budget is less about bold expansion than fiscal navigation – balancing debt obligations, disaster recovery, and public expectations in a constrained economic environment. The message is clear: the new government inherits limited fiscal space, rising debt costs, and fewer one-off supports – and the hard choices are just beginning.