标签： Saint Lucia

Law enforcement authorities in Saint Lucia have dismantled a significant cannabis cultivation operation in the Choiseul region, resulting in multiple charges against a local resident. The coordinated operation, conducted on December 29, 2025, involved specialized units from the Gangs, Narcotics and Firearms Unit (GNFU) Southern Detachment working in conjunction with Choiseul Police Station personnel.

During the executed search warrant in Martin, Choiseul, officers discovered and uprooted an extensive cannabis plantation containing 5,580 plants. Additionally, authorities seized 7.3 kilograms of processed cannabis from the residence of 41-year-old Delecus Alphonse, who was subsequently taken into custody.

The suspect faced three distinct drug-related charges: possession of a controlled drug (cannabis), possession with intent to supply, and cultivation of a controlled plant. Alphonse appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort on December 30, where judicial officials granted bail under specific conditions.

The bail arrangement requires $3,000 cash or suitable surety backed by land documents for the possession charges, while the cultivation charge carries a $3,600 bail under similar terms. Beyond financial obligations, the court imposed stringent non-monetary conditions including mandatory weekly reporting to Choiseul Police Station every Saturday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Furthermore, Alphonse must surrender all travel documents and is expressly prohibited from leaving Saint Lucia without obtaining formal authorization from the Court. The case represents ongoing efforts by Saint Lucia authorities to combat drug cultivation and distribution networks within the country.

In a comprehensive push toward agricultural sustainability, Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development implemented a multi-faceted support program throughout 2025 that yielded significant improvements across the agricultural sector. The initiative addressed critical challenges from disease management to climate adaptation through practical interventions and technological innovation.

Disease management achieved a major breakthrough with the distribution of 66,000 gallons of complimentary spraying oil to banana and plantain growers combating Black Sigatoka disease. This intervention stabilized production levels and restored farmer confidence, complemented by the introduction of crop insurance providing financial protection against climate-related disruptions. The widespread distribution of ground cover materials further enhanced climate-smart practices while reducing cultivation costs and suppressing weed growth.

The fisheries sector witnessed substantial upgrades through the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) project, which modernized post-harvest handling, cold storage infrastructure, and market access channels. Maritime safety received significant attention with licensed fishers in Dennery receiving comprehensive safety equipment, emergency grab bags, and specialized hurricane-preparedness training. The Independent Seafood Festival highlighted these advancements while promoting domestic catch consumption to reduce import dependency.

Human capacity development formed a cornerstone of the agricultural transformation with 22 farmers completing intensive training programs covering advanced agricultural practices, post-harvest management, marketing strategies, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence applications. Innovation flourished through hands-on training in cost-effective dragon fruit production utilizing galvanized support systems and the successful introduction of seedless watermelon varieties under the Seven Crops Project. Tissue culture technology expanded yam cultivation options, supporting agricultural diversification and long-term sustainability.

Policy frameworks and institutional capabilities were strengthened through a memorandum of understanding with the Taiwan Technical Mission and the Climate Impact Data Enhancement Project, which upgraded national climate data systems. Collaborative efforts with the Caribbean Cooperative Measurement, Reporting and Verification Hub advanced greenhouse gas accounting methodologies and mitigation measures, including hoop greenhouses and solar-powered irrigation systems. Specialized training for forestry officers enhanced Saint Lucia’s climate reporting capabilities under Paris Agreement commitments.

Food safety standards were elevated through Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification training at the GLACE Supermarket bakery, ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting public health. The Seven Crops Project further supported farmers through subsidized imports of essential agricultural inputs, reducing production constraints and financial pressures.

Sustainability initiatives included the establishment of a compost facility at the Bordelais Correctional Facility that converted organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, simultaneously addressing waste management challenges while supporting food production. Community engagement programs such as backyard gardening workshops and the inaugural Agriculture Care Day stimulated household and youth participation in agricultural activities. The Tree Crops Expansion and Rehabilitation Project boosted production of breadfruit, coconut, avocado, and soursop varieties.

Environmental protection efforts advanced with the deployment of sargassum management equipment donated through UNDP with Japanese funding, mitigating the environmental and economic impacts of seaweed influxes on coastal communities.

The agricultural year concluded with celebratory events including the Banana and Plantain Festival, which highlighted culinary innovation and nutritional benefits, and a high-level October dialogue that charted the future trajectory of Saint Lucia’s food system transformation toward greater resilience, inclusivity, and nutritional security.

Saint Lucia has inaugurated its annual Nobel Laureate Festival, a vibrant celebration honoring the nation’s two distinguished Nobel Prize recipients. The month-long event, officially launched on January 6th, pays tribute to economics laureate Sir William Arthur Lewis and literature laureate Sir Derek Walcott under the thematic banner “Celebrating Excellence: Honouring our Legacy, Shaping our Tomorrow.

The festival program encompasses an extensive array of cultural and educational activities including memorial lectures, artistic exhibitions, creative workshops, academic competitions, literary launches, and musical performances. A particularly significant date occurs on January 23rd—designated Nobel Laureate Day—which coincides with the shared birthday of both honorees, despite their ten-year age difference. Schools throughout Castries will present special musical tributes on this commemorative day.

Dame Pearlette Louisy, Chair of the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee, emphasized the enduring relevance of both laureates during the live-streamed opening ceremony. “Their contributions are undoubtedly influencing our present and will assuredly shape our tomorrow,” she stated regarding Lewis and Walcott’s lasting intellectual legacy.

Corporate sponsors echoed this sentiment, with Bank of Saint Lucia’s Senior Marketing Manager Genevieve Downes noting how Sir Arthur Lewis’s achievements demonstrate the profound global impact that small island nations can deliver. Meanwhile, FLOW Marketing Officer Sharline Tilo highlighted the festival’s role in inspiring future generations, stating their support reflects a commitment to “fostering a culture of inspiration and achievement” among youth.

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the formal decision to honor both Nobel Laureates, originally established on January 23, 1993. The festival committee has made full event schedules and programming details available through their official Facebook presence @NobelLaureateFestivalSaintLucia or via direct communication channels including text message and email.

The media community in Saint Lucia is grieving the profound loss of Vanessa ‘Lissa’ Joseph, who passed away on January 6, 2026, after a courageous battle with illness. Remembered as both exceptionally talented and deeply cherished, Joseph’s legacy spans nearly two decades of transformative contributions to Caribbean journalism.

Her remarkable journey began at Corinth Secondary School, where even as a student she demonstrated extraordinary eloquence and command of the English language that signaled her future in media. Joseph launched her distinguished career through Radio Saint Lucia’s Youth Talk programme, quickly establishing herself as a multifaceted talent in feature presentation, documentary narration, and commercial voice work.

Her professional trajectory included significant tenures with multiple prominent media houses—DBS, Calabash TV, Hot 7 TV, and the Government Information Service (GIS). Colleagues recall her unwavering dedication to the profession even during her health challenges, with her passion for journalism remaining undiminished throughout her struggles.

In 2021, Joseph returned to DBS Television with renewed vigor, displaying the same characteristic smile, humility, and humor that had become her trademarks. Beyond her on-air presence, she was recognized for her thoughtful advocacy for media development in Saint Lucia, consistently pushing for improvements in professional standards and support for emerging journalists.

Her final public appearance occurred at the Sandals Media brunch on November 29, 2025, where she actively participated in discussions about bridging generational gaps within the media industry. Alongside prominent figures including Judy Deterville and Earl Bousquet, Joseph helped shape conversations about fostering growth and supporting younger practitioners in the field.

The news of her passing, delivered against the backdrop of these recent collaborative efforts, has sent shockwaves through the media community. Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes describing her as kind, respectful, sincere, humble, brave, strong, jovial, and profoundly professional.

Born on October 25, 1982, Joseph is survived by her immediate family and her mother, who remained constantly at her bedside during her final hospitalization and described her daughter as her best friend and confidant. Her passing leaves a significant void not only within media circles but also among the countless Saint Lucians who connected with her through her groundbreaking work.

The University of the West Indies Global Campus will bestow one of its highest honors upon Sir Calixte George, a revered Saint Lucian agronomist and statesman, during its virtual commencement exercises scheduled for January 10, 2025. The ceremony will confer the honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his transformative contributions to agricultural science, regional development, and public service throughout the Caribbean region.

Originally planned for November 2025, the graduation event was rescheduled due to disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa. While recovery efforts continue in parts of Jamaica, the university will proceed with celebrating graduates across the Caribbean basin.

Sir Calixte’s distinguished career encompasses over sixty years of pioneering work that fundamentally reshaped the region’s agricultural landscape. As one of the earliest graduates of UWI’s St. Augustine campus, he revolutionized farming practices through advanced research and comprehensive training programs throughout the Windward Islands. His leadership extended to directing the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), where he engineered modernization initiatives for the banana industry through the West Indies Banana Development and Exporting Company.

Beyond agricultural innovation, Sir Calixte championed workers’ rights, securing landmark improvements for civil servants, and occupied multiple high-level government positions including Senate President, Leader of Government Business, and ministerial roles across various portfolios. His visionary governance included spearheading telecommunications liberalization within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and serving as the inaugural chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority.

Knighted as a Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia, Sir Calixte remains active in scholarly writing and professional mentorship. Dr. Francis O. Severin, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI Global Campus, praised the honoree as “an authentic Eastern and Pan-Caribbean public servant” whose lifetime of work embodies selfless dedication and exceptional service to the region.