CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre says he is under no illusion that the road ahead will be challenging for St. Lucia as the island became the fourth Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to reach an agreement with the United States to facilitate third country refugees to mitigate scenarios where Washington cannot return these individuals to their state of birth or origin.
In a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Sunday night, Pierre said that St. Lucia joins Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, which have already reached an agreement with Washington on the issue.
“I am under no illusion that the road ahead will be challenging. Global uncertainty, climate threats, and economic pressures remain real,” Pierre said in his broadcast, adding that recent developments on the broader hemisphere have underscored that reality.
He said events in Venezuela, which the United States invaded earlier this year and deposed its leader, Nicolas Maduro, “have reverberated across the Caribbean, disrupting air travel, affecting trade and tourism, and creating unsettling concerns for small open economies like ours.
Pierre said that in response to these recent geopolitical events, St. Lucia has reaffirmed its commitment to peace and the principles of international law that protect all nations, large and small.
“St. Lucia, as a member of CARICOM, stands committed to the principles of CARICOM. Stability is best secured through dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for established international norms. We will continue to work with our regional partners to safeguard the Caribbean as a zone of peace.
“St. Lucia’s foreign policy remains rooted in diplomacy, co-operation and mutually beneficial shared interests.”
He said in this regard, the Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the St. Lucia and United States governments “to accept the potential transfer of certain third-country nationals present in the United States.
“This agreement is non-binding and is at the complete discretion of both governments. This MOU establishes a framework for co-operation and does not trigger any immediate transfer or future engagements. This MOU is orderly, transparent, and consistent with the laws, policies, and national interest of St. Lucia.
“Let me make it clear that no agreement has been signed and no details are available. As I have always done on matters of national interest, I will provide all relevant and applicable information to the citizens of St. Lucia.
“I expect that there will be those who are supportive and those who are against providing such support to the United States, but I ask that you rest assured that I will always put you first and act in the best interest of the people of our beloved country, no matter how difficult the decisions may be.”
According to the “Fact Sheet” issued by the government on Sunday night, “The MOU does not override St. Lucia’s laws, does not affect immigration or visa policy, and does not require Saint Lucia to accept or receive anyone. All authority and final decision-making remain entirely with the Government of St. Lucia.”
It notes that the MOU is not linked to the United States’ visa policy and that the island has not given up control of its borders or laws.
“St. Lucia retains full sovereignty, control of its borders, and authority under its Constitution and immigration laws,” it said, adding that St. Lucia agreed to enter into the MOU “to keep open diplomatic dialogue, protect national interests, and ensure that any future discussions, if they occur, happen on St. Lucia’s terms, transparently and responsibly.
On this issue of changes in the visa requirements for St. Lucians entering the United States, Prime Minister Pierre said that he wanted to assure all citizens that “as of today, there has been no information given to the Government of Saint Lucia regarding any changes in the United States’ visa policy for St. Lucians wishing to travel to the United States.
Pierre told the nation that his government, which was returned to office with an overwhelming majority in the general elections in December last year, has always viewed general elections as about more than just victory or defeat.
“They are about the direction a people choose. Your overwhelming choice reaffirmed a shared belief in fairness, inclusion, stability, and progress. The choice reaffirmed our collective resolve to move forward together with love and compassion. You rejected bitterness, divisiveness, hatred, and anger.
“As we begin 2026, it is appropriate to reflect on how far we have come and to look honestly and confidently at the road ahead,” he said, reminding St. Lucians that we have faced unprecedented economic uncertainty, rising global prices, and deep social strain.
“Yet, together, we chose resilience over despair, unity over division, and people-centred governance over indifference,” he said, adding, “our future prosperity cannot be secured by government alone, but the destructive behaviour of a critical mass can bring about harm to all of us.
“I plead for the responsible use of social media. Social media should not be used as a tool for misinformation, slander, or the denigration of citizens, whether private or public. While misinformation may appear to hurt political opponents, in the final analysis, it is the country that suffers.
“This year, let us recommit to unity, respect, and shared responsibility. Let us reject cynicism and embrace opportunities. Let us care for the most vulnerable by empowering them and creating opportunities for future generations,” Pierre added.
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