Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has raised concerns about the safety of Saint Lucian fishermen and warned of potential economic fallout from escalating global tensions, following his participation in the 51st CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in St Kitts and Nevis.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Pierre disclosed that he held discussions with United States officials, including Marco Rubio, regarding recent U.S.-sanctioned operations in regional waters targeting what American authorities describe as narco-terrorists.
“We expressed to the U.S., or I expressed to the U.S., our concern about the waters, our farmers, the concern of our fishermen on the waters in the region,” Pierre said.
“I told them they were very concerned about it. They said that the position with the United States is that narco-trafficking is banned, and we agreed also,” he added.
However, the Prime Minister indicated that Saint Lucia and the United States differ on how such operations should be conducted.
“We also believe that there are certain steps that are taken with certain measures. We believe there is a process for us. Unfortunately, the U.S. has not followed that process,” he stated.
Pierre noted that uncertainty surrounding missing fishermen continues to heighten anxiety among local communities.
“The three fishermen who have disappeared, we have not been told definitively, as far as I know, what has happened to them. This is why there is a missing persons report,” he said.
“We expressed our concern as to the safety of our people on the waters. They said they understood that our fish farmers will be concerned,” he added.
Turning to international developments, Pierre also addressed the ongoing conflict involving Iran, warning that its ripple effects could reach Saint Lucia.
“This war in the Middle East, you never know where it will reach. You never know,” he said.
“What I can do is hope that it doesn’t escalate. How it will affect our region? Obviously, oil prices,” Pierre explained.
He cautioned that rising fuel costs and disruptions in global supply chains could drive inflation and increase the cost of living.
“The most immediate thing will be oil prices and supply chain issues. That will be the most immediate. And then that leads to increases in the cost of living and probably an inflationary spiral,” he stated.
Pierre said his administration is already considering measures to cushion the impact on consumers, including adjustments to taxes and continued subsidies.
“The mechanism we have in place is to control the transaction costs, that’s duties, VAT. We have to look at import duties, look at VAT, and look at if we can continue to subsidize as we are subsidizing LPG gas,” he said.
“But we have to balance that. The country has to run, hospitals have to be open, schools have to be open,” he added.
Despite uncertainties, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the government’s existing fuel pricing policies may provide some buffer.
“Right now, we probably have a cushion. So, these policies will prove to have been well thought out if that escalates, but we’re hoping that it doesn’t,” Pierre noted.
He also confirmed that regional leaders discussed humanitarian concerns in Cuba, with CARICOM moving towards coordinated assistance.
“CARICOM’s position is we should have to get some humanitarian aid to Cuba. We are working on that,” Pierre said.
“The situation is very dynamic. It’s moving so quickly. There are many shifting paths, but CARICOM will be working on that,” he added.