WILL THE UNITED STATES RAISE THE TRAVEL ADVISORY ON SAINT LUCIA TO A LEVEL WHICH WILL DISCOURAGE AMERICANS FROM VISITING THE COUNTRY?

The serious concerns that the US Department of State has reportedly had regarding the Eastern Caribbean country of SAINT LUCIA, after a national election seriously flawed by widespread vote buying, and alleged vote tabulation manipulation by government officials, on top of other major reasons, the result of which may manifest itself in a pronounced elevation of the official US DOS Travel Advisory to a level that would, in essence, soundly discourage Americans from leisure travel there. A rumor to that effect has been received.

We have seen punitive measures implemented of late, by the State Department, against other Eastern Caribbean states whose actions the United States Government has found to be contrary to its national security interests, and Saint Lucia's rogue Citizenship by Investment (CIP) has sold passports to a reported tens of thousands of Chinese national, all without being previously qualified through sufficient due diligence investigation in advance, which the U.S. considers a clear and present danger to its security. Additionally, the skyrocketing number of homicides taking place annually in Saint Lucia, attributed to gang violence, the presence of firearms shipped in the U.S, narcotics shipments transiting the island, and cooperation between elected politicians and gangs, all concern American officials, and could easily serve as the excuse for raising the Threat Advisor to Three, which is a recommendation not to travel there. Such an act would have a serious effect, not only on tourist arrivals, hotel stays and extended visits, but it could have the knock-on effect of causing scheduled travels by American flag airlines there, if business drops off significantly in rapid order. Given what has become of late the rather brusque way that the US has conducted international relations with the Eastern Caribbean states that issue economic citizenships & passports, Saint Lucians may indeed be in for a rough ride, and a shock to their tourism-centric economy. While we have no actual confirmation that this is in the cards, the risk that this will occur must be recognized.