Prime Minister Chastanet wants visa restrictions on Venezuelans

St. Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, cited Saint Lucia’s security concerns in relation to the situation in Venezuela, as he asked his country’s authorities to look at imposing visa restrictions on Venezuelans visiting St. Lucia.

“I don’t think we should make it any easier than the logistics already have for Venezuelans to come here,” Chastanet told reporters Monday during a pre-cabinet news conference.

Ministry of Immigration to prepare

He announced that he has asked the ministry of immigration to prepare a document for cabinet to consider in relation to the visa restrictions.

“Barring any impediment, we will impose it,” he said.

The prime minister said he remained “deeply concerned” about the security threat to Saint Lucia and the region, generally, from the crisis in Venezuela.

“If in fact the government is continuing to struggle to maintain law and order in Venezuela. We have seen an increase in the production of drugs coming out of Colombia. People are short of cash and therefore people are bringing drugs originating from Colombia, and arms, to sell in Saint Lucia and other Caribbean Islands,” Chastanet observed.

St. Lucia opposed to foreign intervention

Meanwhile, he reiterated Saint Lucia’s position against foreign intervention in Venezuela.

“Saint Lucia has always held the position that we would not support any kind of foreign intervention in Venezuela whether by the United States or any other country inside this hemisphere or outside this hemisphere,” Chastanet said.