Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Allen Castanet, has defended his decision to meet with United States President, Donald Trump, on Friday in Florida.
Trump met with leaders from The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Saint Lucia at his private residence in Palm Beach, Florida, drawing criticism from, among others, Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne.
According to a report from St. Lucia Online News, Mr. Chatanet said the meeting with the US President was not a gathering for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) adding that the US is this country’s largest trading partner, Saint Lucia’s largest Diaspora and the country that offers Saint Lucia the greatest opportunity for growth.
He pointed out that he has always been ‘extremely respectful’ and will continue to be respectful on CARICOM’s positions.
Chastanet however asserted that CARICOM is ‘very divided’ on the Venezuela issue as evident in the way members of the organization voted at the Organisation of American States (OAS).
