The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is formally inquiring with the United States about reports that the Federation has been included on a draft travel restriction list. According to reports from The New York Times and Reuters, a leaked U.S. government document categorises countries into three tiers—red, orange, and yellow—based on alleged security concerns, with St. Kitts and Nevis appearing on the “Yellow List.”
Despite these reports, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew confirmed on 15th March that no formal or informal communication has been received from the U.S. government regarding the matter. The government is now engaging through diplomatic channels to seek official clarification.
The New York Times reports that the draft document divides 43 countries into three categories: Red List – countries facing a complete travel ban; Orange List – countries subject to severe visa restrictions; and Yellow List – countries considered to have security deficiencies and given 60 days to make necessary corrections before facing penalties.
St. Kitts and Nevis is believed to have been placed in the “Yellow” category due to its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Under this classification, the Federation has a two-month window to address any U.S. concerns or risk further restrictions. However, Prime Minister Drew emphasised that no concerns have been officially communicated to his government.
Addressing the speculation, Prime Minister Drew highlighted the significant reforms his administration has undertaken to enhance the CBI programme’s compliance with international standards. These efforts have included regulatory adjustments, increased transparency, and alignment with global best practices.
Since August 2022, St. Kitts and Nevis has engaged in consistent dialogue with U.S. officials, particularly concerning reforms within the CBI sector. In January, Prime Minister Drew participated in a multilateral meeting in the United Kingdom with senior officials from the U.S. State Department and Treasury, reaffirming the Federation’s commitment to international cooperation.
The New York Times also indicated that the draft list is subject to change, raising uncertainty about whether St. Kitts and Nevis will remain on it.
Meanwhile, the Labour government has assured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to transparency.
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