The executive secretary of ALBA-TCP, Jorge Arreaza, congratulated the prime minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J Pierre, on the 45th anniversary of the independence of the Caribbean country, it was reported today in Caracas.

«An honor to accompany the people of Saint Lucia and its government,» the head of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Agreement (ALBA-TCP) wrote last night on his X account.

Arreaza stressed in his message that the countries of the Eastern Caribbean constitute «a true example of dignity and sovereignty».

«Congratulations Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, big hug ALBA brothers and sisters,» he said.

The Venezuelan diplomat traveled the day before to the Caribbean country in the company of the vice minister for the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and president of the ALBA Bank, Raúl Li Causi.

The secretary general of the Caribbean Community, Carla Barnett, acknowledged yesterday in a greeting message Saint Lucia’s «unwavering determination and stability» in the face of challenges and wished continued peace and prosperity as the nation moves forward.

After 165 years of British colonialism, the tiny Caribbean island achieved independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on February 22, 1979.