Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has called on Saint Lucians to focus on sustainability and self-reliance, urging the country to use what it already has to depend less on any single market, as he addressed concerns surrounding the United States’ decision to pause immigrant visa applications from Saint Lucia.
Responding to questions at this week’s pre cabinet press briefing, Pierre said it was unreasonable to expect Caribbean leaders to explain or justify decisions taken by the United States government. He described such expectations as “very unfair,” noting that decisions made by the US president are guided by that country’s own policies, priorities and election promises.
Pierre stressed that the US acts in what it believes to be its own best interest, a position he said he respects. He added that Saint Lucia’s responsibility lies in obeying its own laws and ensuring that its actions and words do not create unnecessary hardship for its citizens.
While acknowledging that the US decision has affected many nations, Pierre pointed out that Saint Lucia is not alone, explaining that “75 countries have been affected by the US laws, as it relates to immigrants.”
Pierre said the US government had communicated its position clearly, stating that the decision was linked to welfare concerns and immigration pressures. He reiterated that these policies were applied to many countries and reflected broader US domestic priorities.
The prime minister acknowledged the reality of Saint Lucia’s close ties to the United States, describing it as the country’s closest market with deep cultural and family connections.
However, he urged the nation not to “[lie] down and die” or engage in blame, but instead to be innovative and resilient. He pointed to local successes, such as self-sufficiency in poultry and egg production, as examples of what the country can control and build upon.
