The Prime Minister’s comments follow recent media reports speculating that the U.S. may be considering such measures.
“As of June 16, 2025, neither the Embassy of Saint Lucia in Washington D.C., the Office of the Prime Minister, nor the Ministry of External Affairs has received any formal notification from the U.S. Department of State or any other agency,” Pierre stated.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to defend the integrity of Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), which has been the subject of public scrutiny in recent months.
“There has been no official notification from the U.S. on the CIP either. All the issues being raised have been orchestrated by one individual aligned with the opposition.”
The Prime Minister may be referring to Philippe Martinez, a CIP developer based in Saint Kitts, who had filed, and later withdrew, a RICO suit against CIP officials in Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts. Martinez had alleged corruption in the region’s CIP regime but did not follow through with proving such in court.
Pierre also assured the public that ongoing discussions with American and European counterparts continue to shape and strengthen the Programme’s operations. He noted that a collaborative legislative framework for the region’s CIPs is being spearheaded by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
“We remain committed to making our CIP program transparent and accountable. We respect the concerns of our European partners and are doing everything in our power to meet those expectations.”
Importantly, the Prime Minister reminded citizens that key changes to the CIP were not introduced by the current administration.
“The changes that may have led to the current debate were not initiated by this government. That’s a historical fact,” he stressed. “There is a tendency now to forget history, but we must remember where and when those changes began.”
Prime Minister Pierre reiterated his administration’s commitment to international cooperation and transparency, and assured Saint Lucians that their interests remain central to all policy decisions.