National security Minister of St Lucia Hermangild Francis has expressed concern over what has been described as “ The Triangle”.
Francis told St Lucian media earlier this week that authorities have always known that Martinique, Saint Vincent and Saint Lucia comprise a “Triangle” which Venezuelans use to enter that country.
The National Security Minister said such “ Triangle” is being used to funnel drugs coming from Saint Vincent go to Martinique in exchange for firearms.
“We understand in Martinique and so on persons are allowed to carry firearms, and it’s more lax than in Saint Lucia, so we always knew that,” the minister explained.
“Now we have realised what is happening in Venezuela and you can see the exodus of persons from Venezuela going across the border to buy food – so that’s the lure,” Francis asserted.
According to him, the Venezuelans have reached the stage of desperation and are coming to Saint Lucia. He observed that in a recent incident the police arrested two Venezuelans.
“This is worrying – this is very, very worrying. These guys will do anything, and it stretches our armed forces, so it is of very great concern to me.
I will be speaking with the Minister of Foreign affairs so that we can speak to the Venezuelan Ambassador and see how we can cooperate in making sure that we can stem that tide of Venezuelans coming into Saint Lucia,” Francis said.