Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has responded cautiously to the recent deployment of United States military assets to the southern Caribbean, stressing that Saint Lucia will act in line with the procedures of the Treaty of Chaguaramas and in consultation with CARICOM.

Speaking on Monday, Pierre said his government shared the concerns of others in the region over the escalation but would defer to the regional bloc on the matter.

“We are concerned, like every right-thinking government, about the escalation. But we are still working under the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which makes clear the procedure as to how we deal with international affairs. We will be following that criteria, working with our CARICOM governments. For now, we are monitoring the situation and waiting for an official response from CARICOM.”

Article 16 of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, ‘The Council for Foreign and Community Relations’, deals with CARICOM’s international affairs.

Provision 3(b) of Article 16 explains that the Council will “establish measures to coordinate the foreign policies of the Member States of the Community, including proposals for joint representation, and seek to ensure, as far as practicable, the adoption of Community positions on major hemispheric and international issues.”

PM Pierre acknowledged that a formal CARICOM response may be delayed, given that the current chair of the regional body is engaged in national elections, due on September 3rd.

“I’m very sure CARICOM will have to respond. But I think what’s keeping us back is that the chairman is now involved in elections. So I think he’s very much involved in the elections, and I understand that.”

He emphasised Saint Lucia’s commitment to peace, noting: “We are completely against any sort of violence, both internally or regionally. In Saint Lucia’s interest, we believe that the region must remain peaceful.”

Earlier this week, Washington ordered an amphibious squadron to the region, supported by a nuclear-powered attack submarine, several destroyers, a guided-missile cruiser, and P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft. The move forms part of President Donald Trump’s effort to counter threats from Latin American drug cartels.