Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Terrance Drew has reaffirmed that St. Kitts and Nevis has not fully committed to the implementation of the CARICOM Free Movement initiative, clarifying public confusion caused by recent media reports.
Speaking during his monthly RoundTable media programme on 2nd April, Dr. Drew confirmed that both St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda have requested carve-outs from the agreement. These exemptions are necessary to address key concerns before fully adopting the initiative. Among the primary issues raised are minimum guarantees for access to primary and secondary education, emergency services, and primary healthcare for migrating CARICOM nationals.
“I would just like to state categorically that there’s a carve-out for St. Kitts and Nevis, and I think Antigua as well, with respect to the full implementation of CARICOM free movement. Let me state it clearly that St. Kitts and Nevis has not signed on to this,” Dr. Drew stated, emphasising that discussions are ongoing to resolve the outstanding issues.
This clarification follows the 48th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM, held in Barbados from 19th to 21st February, where the free movement agenda was extensively discussed. Dr. Drew led the Federation’s delegation, which included Foreign Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, Ambassador Larry Vaughan, and other key officials.
The Prime Minister also disclosed that 1st June, 2025, has been set as the target date for finalising free movement implementation, but only for countries ready to proceed.
Beyond free movement, Dr. Drew updated the nation on other significant discussions from the CARICOM meeting. A regional crime strategy was outlined, with St. Kitts and Nevis playing a leadership role. A three-person team, comprising the Prime Ministers of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Kitts and Nevis, along with a criminologist, a public health expert, and a retired judge from Belize, has been tasked with guiding the region’s crime response strategy.
The transition to renewable energy was also a key topic. The European Union has expressed interest in purchasing renewable energy from CARICOM, with St. Kitts and Nevis’ geothermal resources in Nevis identified as a critical asset. The project has been declared a national priority, with funding secured for its initial development.
Regional food security also featured prominently in discussions. St. Kitts and Nevis is collaborating on agricultural projects spearheaded by Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali, aimed at reducing reliance on food imports and bolstering regional food sustainability.
Dr. Drew reiterated that the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme cannot remain the Federation’s primary revenue stream and highlighted the government’s commitment to renewable energy as the foundation of its Sustainable Island State Agenda.
“We need to seek a new strategy of diversification, where we came up with a sustainable island state, and at the centre of it is renewable energy. We are pursuing that very vigorously,” the Prime Minister stated.
He further noted that the 2023 IMF report supports this transition as a pathway to greater economic and fiscal stability.
While St. Kitts and Nevis remains committed to regional cooperation, national interests in education, healthcare, energy, and economic reform remain pivotal in the ongoing free movement discussions.
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