Minister for Home Affairs, Justice and National Security, Sen. Hon. Hermangild Francis has contested a recent article which ascribes to him a quote that the minister felt required proper contextualization and explanation.

The story, attributed to Caribbean News Now, indicates that at an executive luncheon of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce last month, Minister Francis stated that the United States government “has pledged to fund a proposed new border control entity for Saint Lucia.”

Minister Francis this week expressed dismay that the story was published without the writer extending the courtesy of contacting him for his input.

“I can say that I indicated at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on October 16, that if the Marine Unit is removed from under the auspices of the Royal Saint Lucia Police where it is right now and becomes a new entity, then the US may be amenable to providing support to this new entity but in its current form we are no longer receiving support from the US for the Marine Unit.”

Progress has been ongoing toward the establishment of a new border control entity for the island. However, Minister Francis says as far as the funding for that project is concerned; the Government of Saint Lucia has no agreement in place to receive funds from the United States Government.