January
The streets of Castries came alive on New Year’s Day with the vibrant return of Assou Square. The annual event celebrated local culture, music, and community through festivities featuring an exciting lineup of live performances and activities, drawing visitors to the heart of the capital. Assou Square 2025 included a calypso and country and western showdown, as well as a DJ competition that showcased immense local talent.
Sport and tourism intersected early in January with the second leg of the fourth Eastern Caribbean Challenge, where 35 runners competed in six marathons across six nations. The 26-mile (42.1 km) circuit started and ended at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium.
Amid pre-Independence celebrations, road safety emerged as a major concern. Before January ended, police launched investigations into 120 vehicular accidents, prompting renewed calls for vigilance on the road.
February
On February 22, Saint Lucia celebrated its 46th anniversary of Independence. Celebrations concluded with the All Stars Independence Showcase, Independence Celebratory Rally, featuring local singers, cultural dancers and appearances by the 2024 Carnival Queen, and Saint Lucia’s Miss OECS competition.
Major economic developments followed Independence celebrations as the government confirmed that nearly $80 million would be paid to public servants as part of a tax-free backpay package. In addition to regular monthly salary payments of $44.5 million, an additional $34.5 million was issued in backpay. The payments were made in accordance with a labour agreement, benefiting over 11 000 public sector employees and including a 6 per cent wage increase for the period 2022–2025, followed by a 7 per cent increase for 2025–2028.
The government also officially approved the creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund to secure long-term economic stability and strengthen the country’s ability to handle climate change. According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the fund supports investments in climate adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable economic growth, guided by strict investment principles and environmental, social, and governance standards.
March
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre unveiled the largest-ever budget, proposing a record $2.06 billion in Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Later that month, the government launched a nationwide cost-of-living and poverty survey to assess household spending and hardship.
Saint Lucians Anthony Emmanuel and Sophia Raphael were repatriated after seven weeks adrift in the Caribbean Sea. Their harrowing ordeal began on November 30, 2024, when the engine of their 22-foot pirogue failed while returning from a shopping trip to Martinique. The pair were rescued by the Colombian Coast Guard on January 16, 2025, near the northern San Andrés Archipelago. They stayed on San Andrés Island, Colombia, while the necessary arrangements for their return to Saint Lucia were completed and ultimately returned to their families on March 22.
April
Creators Alliance was a UK-based online platform that promised users income for creating and uploading videos but operated like a pyramid/Ponzi scheme that left many Caribbean investors, including Saint Lucians, with losses. It abruptly crashed in early April 2025, leaving payouts stalled and WhatsApp groups dissolved.
Olympic champion Julien Alfred announced the start of her 2025 outdoor season, drawing strong public support and national interest.
April also featured several community and development stories. Free hand surgeries were offered to Saint Lucians through an international medical initiative, students showcased projects at the National Schools’ Science and Technology Fair, reggae artist Sanchez headlined the Micoud Jazz Festival, and the government signed disaster-preparedness agreements with the World Food Programme.
May
Saint Lucia was immersed in music, poetry and visual arts during the annual Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, which unfolded across multiple venues over the first 11 days of May. Performers such as Staceyann Chin, Shyne Savory, Orshan Hippolyte, Ruger, Maverick City, Barbara Cadet, Werner Semi Francis, Earth, Wind & Fire, Patrice Roberts, Ronald Boo Hinkson, Bounty Killer, and Beenie Man took to the stage during the festival. However, logistical challenges, particularly traffic congestion during the mainstage shows at Pigeon Island, sparked public criticism.
National conversation on period poverty intensified following criticism by United Workers Party (UWP) deputy leader Guy Joseph of the government’s decision to allocate $250 000 to the Ministry of Education for the distribution of sanitary napkins in schools. Joseph argued that the initiative failed to address the issue comprehensively and raised concerns about privacy and oversight. His remarks generated public debate, with advocates and civil society groups defending the programme as a necessary intervention.
Dr Kenny Anthony announced on May 21 that he would not contest the next general election, ending a parliamentary career spanning 28 years as the representative for Vieux Fort South.
The 74-year-old former prime minister made the announcement at a Saint Lucia Labour Party public meeting in the constituency.
June
The country mourned the loss of three major cultural figures in the span of two days at the start of June. Veteran musician and singer Lennie Stone died on June 1 at age 71. On June 2, soca artist Nicole Niki David, widely considered as Saint Lucia’s “Queen of Soca”, passed away at age 51 following a battle with cancer. The same day, master sculptor Vincent Joseph Eudovic, regarded as one of Saint Lucia’s most influential visual artists, died at his Goodlands home at age 83.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a historic visit to Saint Lucia, marking the first official visit by a sitting Nigerian head of state. The visit focused on strengthening diplomatic, cultural and economic ties between Nigeria, Saint Lucia and the wider Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), with discussions focused on trade, education, investment, and shared African-Caribbean heritage.
K9 Tyson, a police sniffer dog gifted to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force by France less than a year earlier, died in late June under circumstances that triggered public suspicion and allegations of mismanagement. Tyson was viewed as a key asset in combating drug and firearm trafficking. Rat bait poisoning was later ruled out as the cause of death, though no definitive cause has been discovered to date.
July
Over $36 million was injected into the Saint Lucia Fire Service when Prime Minister Pierre handed over two state-of-the-art fire appliances. It was the largest single investment in fire service equipment in over three decades, according to Chief Fire Officer Ditney Downes.
The Police Training School enrolled 80 recruits selected from a pool of 1 000 applicants who are scheduled to complete their training in January 2026.
The second season of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League got underway, whilst the men’s national team, the Piton Boyz, crashed out of contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after a 4-0 reversal to Curaçao in Willemstad. Saint Lucia defeated Barbados to close out their qualifying campaign at Stadion Ergilio Hato.
August
For the first time in Saint Lucia’s Emancipation celebration history, the La Rose Festival was included in the festivities. The move was welcomed by some cultural activists, who argued that the festival’s roots in resistance and identity made it relevant to emancipation themes, but criticised by others who felt it distracted from the solemnity of Emancipation Day. Supporters such as CDF creative producer Drenia Frederick highlighted La Rose’s 150‑year history of role‑playing and community support, linking it to freedom and cultural expression. Opponents, including ICAR president Aaron Ras Iron Alexander, insisted that Emancipation Day should have remained focused on reparations and historical reflection. He argued that overlapping celebrations, including carnival events, diluted the seriousness of the month and created confusion during observances.
Saint Lucia’s Shyne Savory made cultural history on August 27, when she won the Wapax! Poetry Slam, the inaugural regional slam competition at CARIFESTA XV in Barbados. The event featured 12 poets from seven Caribbean nations, each given 30 minutes to write and two to three minutes to perform an original piece on the theme The Answer Is In The Trees. Without props, costumes, or music, the competition demanded pure talent and creativity. The judges’ scores revealed a razor‑thin margin, with Savory edging out her closest competitor by just one point.
September
Saint Lucia mourned the loss of veteran media personality Tony Paul in September. Paul, co-founder of Rev Up SLU, died suddenly on September 7. His passing shocked the island’s media fraternity and left a deep void among listeners who had long considered him part of their daily lives.
The United Workers Party presented a list of fully endorsed candidates for the upcoming election during this period as well. The list of candidates featured several new faces, with older ones such as Guy Joseph and political leader Allen Chastanet also seeking to return Flambeau to office.
October
October marked Mwa Ewitaj Kwéyòl, celebrated this year under the theme “Kwéyòl Sé Fòs Nou.” Throughout the month, the focus remained firmly on language, food, music, and traditional practices, with organisers and cultural practitioners emphasising the importance of preserving Kwéyòl heritage as a living, evolving part of Saint Lucian identity.
The official calendar featured signature events including the Woulelaba Festival, the La Wenn Kwéyòl Pageant, Jounen Kwéyòl, and the international observance of Creole Day. Activities were hosted in Belle Vue, Vieux Fort and Babonneau, alongside fringe events held in communities across the island. As the month progressed, organisers noted a renewed sense of public engagement, particularly among younger Saint Lucians.
The month also saw several port workers charged in a series of high-profile arrests linked to drug trafficking at Saint Lucia’s ports of entry. The cases, reported by St. Lucia Times, emerged amid an intensified law-enforcement crackdown targeting drugs, firearms and ammunition moving through the island’s maritime gateways. The arrests included multiple employees of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), a port police officer, and a customs porter, with seizures tied to large quantities of illicit drugs valued in the hundreds of thousands and in some cases more than a million dollars. Authorities said the investigations reflected a broader effort to disrupt organised criminal activity, signalling a more aggressive posture by police and customs officials during the latter part of the year.
November
November was marked by heightened political activity and a major development in one of the country’s longest-running public projects, the St Jude Hospital reconstruction. After 16 years of delays, controversy, and shifting timelines, the reconstruction reached a critical milestone as the facility was officially handed over to the Ministry of Health and commissioning began.
On November 9, after months of sustained pressure from the opposition, Prime Minister Pierre officially “rang the bell” calling for a general election to be held on December 1. The announcement triggered an intense 21-day campaign period with political rallies, press conferences, and motorcades taking place throughout the island.
December
The general election delivered another decisive victory for SLP political leader Philip J. Pierre, with the party securing 14 seats at the polls. With two independents backing the government, the result gave rise to what some observers described as a “16-1” outcome.
In the weeks that followed, attention shifted from campaigning to governing, with the swearing-in of both the Parliament and the Cabinet. Among the notable changes were former education minister Shawn Edward assuming responsibility for infrastructure, and political newcomer Lisa Jawahir replacing Alfred Prospere as Minister of Agriculture.
The election’s aftermath also saw UWP political leader Allen Chastanet submit his resignation, a move that was formally rejected by the party’s National Executive for the second time.
In tourism, Saint Lucia was named the World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination for the eighth consecutive year and 17th time overall, an accolade that followed the island’s best-performing November on record. Stay-over arrivals reached 36 255, representing a 7 per cent increase over November 2024 and the highest November total in the country’s history.
A long-promised policy initiative was approved by Parliament on December 16 with the VAT‑free day officially set for December 22, though some uncertainty remains over its rollout.
