标签： Saint Lucia

In a dramatic escalation of geopolitical tensions, United States military forces have intercepted and seized a massive crude oil tanker off the Venezuelan coastline. President Donald Trump announced the operation from the White House, characterizing it as the largest such seizure in history.

The operation, coordinated across multiple U.S. agencies including the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and Coast Guard, targeted what officials describe as a sanctioned vessel involved in transporting illicit petroleum products. Attorney General Pam Bondi released video evidence showing military helicopters hovering above the massive tanker while armed personnel descended onto the deck via ropes.

Venezuelan leadership immediately condemned the action as ‘international piracy,’ with President Nicolás Maduro previously asserting that his nation would never become an ‘oil colony.’ The Trump administration maintains that the tanker was part of an illegal network supporting foreign terrorist organizations and facilitating narcotics trafficking into the United States.

The operation originated from the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier recently deployed to the Caribbean region. Military officials confirmed the involvement of two helicopters, ten Coast Guard members, ten Marines, and special forces personnel in the meticulously executed seizure.

Global energy markets responded to the development with Brent crude prices experiencing upward movement amid concerns about potential supply disruptions. Analysts warn that such aggressive actions could further destabilize Venezuela’s oil export capabilities and create risks for international shipping operators in the region.

In a decisive address at the House of Parliament on December 12, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre formally introduced his restructured Cabinet following the Saint Lucia Labour Party’s decisive electoral victory on December 1. The ceremony marked a significant shift toward what Pierre termed “people-centred leadership” built upon three core pillars: discipline, accountability, and performance.

Rooting his governance philosophy in spiritual principles, Pierre invoked Proverbs 3:5, emphasizing that divine guidance would inform his administration’s decisions. He characterized the election results as both “historic” and “overwhelming,” acknowledging the substantial responsibility bestowed upon his government.

The newly configured Cabinet features several strategic portfolio adjustments reflecting contemporary challenges. Notably, Climate Change has been established as a formal ministerial responsibility under Lisa Jawahir, who will simultaneously oversee Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Security. The portfolio of Public Service, Labour, and Gender Affairs has been strategically divided, with Emma Hippolyte assuming leadership of the consolidated Labour, Gender Affairs, Equity, Social Justice, and Consumer Welfare portfolio.

Pierre established unequivocal performance expectations for his ministerial team, warning that appointments remain subject to change based on effectiveness. “Ministers within my Cabinet will be expected to conduct themselves with the highest levels of professionalism, integrity and effectiveness,” he stated, adding that the structure “is not permanent” and adjustments would occur “when and whenever necessary.”

The Prime Minister personally assumes expanded responsibilities, retaining Finance and National Security while adding Constituency Development and People Empowerment—a deliberate consolidation he stated demonstrates his administration’s commitment to prioritizing citizen welfare.

Several key reappointments include Moses Jn Baptiste (Health and Wellness, plus Nutrition), Stephenson King (Public Service, Transport, Information, and Utilities Regulations), and Alva Baptiste (External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs). Kenson Casimir sees his portfolio expanded to include Digital Transformation and Education alongside Youth Development and Sports.

Notable absences include former Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere, whose reappointment faces constitutional barriers related to the Deputy Speaker position. Pierre praised Prospere’s “stellar work” and indicated future consideration once legal obstacles are resolved.

The administration has yet to assign several portfolios from the previous government, including Sustainable Development, Technology, Vocational Training, Manufacturing, Business Development, and Elderly Affairs, suggesting potential further restructuring.

Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) has received a clean bill of health following an independent operational audit that found no evidence of corruption within its internal operations, according to CEO Mc Claude Emmanuel. The comprehensive review, conducted by professional services firm Deloitte, will be fully disclosed when the CIP’s 2024–2025 annual report is presented to Parliament in the upcoming session.

This development emerges against the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings initiated by former Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, who has sought judicial review of the program’s administration. The High Court is scheduled to hear Chastanet’s claim on January 26, though his previous application for an interlocutory injunction was rejected in an October judgment that permitted substantive allegations to proceed.

Emmanuel, addressing corruption allegations in an exclusive interview with St. Lucia Times, emphasized that the audit examined processes spanning his tenure and previous administrations. “Internally, our audit shows that there has been no incidence of corruption,” he stated. “We recently performed our first operational audit by Deloitte, and nothing unsavoury was discovered.”

The audit was conducted as part of Saint Lucia’s commitments under six agreed principles with the United States. Emmanuel provided conservative estimates indicating the program has generated “high hundreds of millions of dollars” since its inception, contributing approximately 7% (EC$189 million) to the national budget of EC$2 billion.

Regarding fund allocation, Emmanuel clarified that while the CIP Unit processes applications and receives payments, all funds are transferred to the government treasury. “When it’s in the government’s control, I cannot tell you definitively what it is used for,” he explained, though noting several social initiatives funded through the program including infrastructure development, relief for vulnerable parents, subsidized school meals, and increased pensions.

The program has approved only two projects in its nine-year history: the Caribbean Galaxy hotel project in Canelles and A’ila Resorts development at Rodney Bay. A third mega-project proposal never materialized due to missing approvals, policy changes, and COVID-19 disruptions.

Emmanuel highlighted ongoing challenges including international pressure from countries like the United States and United Kingdom tightening border security measures. The program maintains strict due diligence procedures, currently banning applicants from Russia, Cuba, North Korea, Belarus, Italy, Venezuela, and Iran due to banking sanctions and due diligence limitations.

Despite these safeguards, former Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony predicts the program’s eventual collapse following recent agreements among OECS member states to establish a Regional CIP Regulatory Authority that would remove decision-making from national units.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is poised to unveil his reconfigured ministerial team on Friday, December 12, following his Saint Lucia Labour Party’s decisive electoral victory on December 1. The announcement comes one week after Pierre’s formal swearing-in ceremony on December 5, which marked the beginning of his second consecutive term in office.

In a significant restructuring of governmental responsibilities, Prime Minister Pierre has incorporated two additional ministries into his already extensive portfolio. Beyond maintaining his crucial roles as Minister for Finance, National Security and Justice, he will now directly oversee the newly established Ministry of Constituency Development and the Ministry of People Empowerment. This expansion of executive authority demonstrates Pierre’s hands-on approach to governance and his emphasis on grassroots development.

The fate of the Youth Economy portfolio, which Pierre personally managed during his initial term, remains uncertain. Political observers are monitoring whether this ministry will be assigned to another cabinet member or integrated within the broader framework of the People Empowerment ministry. This decision will signal the administration’s prioritization of youth development programs.

Notably, Pierre’s first-term government comprised 13 elected parliamentarians who all received ministerial appointments, supplemented by two independent candidates who were granted full ministerial status despite their non-party affiliation. Two unsuccessful Saint Lucia Labour Party candidates were appointed to junior ministerial positions in that administration.

Entering his second term with strengthened parliamentary presence, Pierre now commands the support of 14 elected party members alongside the two independent representatives, potentially allowing for more diverse ministerial appointments while maintaining the government’s legislative majority.

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has achieved another international milestone with her inclusion in Forbes’ 2025 World’s 100 Most Powerful Women ranking, securing the 99th position among global leaders spanning politics, business, and philanthropy. The prestigious recognition underscores her growing influence on the world stage.

Forbes specifically highlighted Mottley’s climate advocacy, diplomatic prowess, and transformative leadership during Barbados’ constitutional evolution. Her profile details her historic 2018 election as Barbados’ first female prime minister and her subsequent emergence as a vocal climate activist, particularly referencing her impassioned 2021 United Nations General Assembly address demanding urgent environmental action.

The publication noted her 2021 designation as a United Nations Environment Programme ‘Champion of the Earth for Policy Leadership’ and her instrumental role in Barbados’ transition to a parliamentary republic that same year, which formally ended the British monarchy’s ceremonial governance.

Mottley joins an elite group of global power brokers including top-ranked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The Forbes ranking, now in its 22nd year, assesses candidates through four key metrics: financial resources, media presence, tangible impact, and spheres of influence. This year’s cohort represents 17 nations wielding approximately $37 trillion in economic power and influencing over one billion people worldwide.

Her political journey began decades earlier with her 1994 appointment as Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Culture, establishing the foundation for her subsequent regional and international prominence. Forbes emphasized that Mottley’s consistent appearance on major global rankings solidifies her status as the Caribbean’s most visible political figure, renowned for her uncompromising stance on climate justice, economic reform, and global equity.

In a significant legal ruling with political ramifications, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has mandated Allen Chastanet, Leader of the United Workers Party, to compensate Parliamentary Representative Richard Frederick with $60,000 in damages plus 3% pre-judgment interest. The judgment stems from a defamatory Facebook video published on May 2, 2023, in which Chastanet made serious allegations regarding Frederick’s involvement in a land sale transaction at Bananes.

The court found that Chastanet’s statements, which accused Frederick of corruption, dishonesty, misleading Parliament, and abusing his office, lacked substantiated evidence. Judicial review of the case revealed that the opposition leader’s claims were based on assumptions rather than verifiable facts, ultimately causing significant harm to Frederick’s personal and professional reputation.

Adding to the financial penalty, the court issued a permanent injunction prohibiting Chastanet from repeating similar defamatory allegations against Frederick concerning the land sale incident. This legal protection aims to prevent further damage to the parliamentarian’s standing.

The case attracted substantial public attention given both figures’ prominent political roles—Frederick as former Housing Minister and Chastanet as Opposition Leader. Despite the court’s decisive ruling, Chastanet issued a press statement expressing respect for the decision while simultaneously indicating potential grounds for appeal, noting he had thus far only received the judge’s oral summary.