May 15, 2007: Less than 7 months after St. Lucians re-elected 82 year old Sir John Compton as Prime Minister of the country, he has been hospitalized for undisclosed reasons in the United States.

The Prime Minister remained hospitalized after initially leaving the country on May 1, for a medical check-up.

The ruling United Workers Party (UWP) has denied all claims that the elder Statesman suffered either a stroke or a mild heart attack.

Acting Prime Minister, Stephenson King, has said that the Prime Minister is in stable condition and in good spirits but has to remain under observation until the doctors give the okay for him to resume his duties.

According to the government “Citizens can rest assured that the affairs of the country are running smoothly in the absence of the prime minister and that the vision for the development of the nation as outlined by Sir John during his recent budget address is proceeding apace.”

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that despite their optimism, the ruling party has begun the process of identifying a successor.

John Compton served as Chief Minister from 1964-1967, Premier from 1967-1979 and Prime Minister in 1979 and again from 1982-1996 when he resigned.

He later returned to active politics and reclaimed his position at the helm of the UWP in the general elections of 1997 and 2001.

"Age is not a factor here, I am not here running for the Olympics. Age is really in the state of mind, I am giving my experience and my intelligence that God gave to me. I am not going for a marathon, I am not going for the Olympics,” Sir John said shortly after his victory.