National Security Minister Victor La Corbiniere.
National Security Minister Victor La Corbiniere said he has serious concerns as it relates to the threat the Islamic State (ISIS) poses to the Caribbean and Saint Lucia.
La Corbiniere noted that the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) free movement of persons within the region, could create a greater challenge than usual.
But despite this, the minister explained that Saint Lucia is constantly monitoring the situation, both in relation to local information and those received from sister nations.
Advanced training for members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has already taken place, while the capacity of the Force is also being developed.
A top United States general has expressed deep concern that a small number of motivated ISIS fighters could commit acts of terror in Caribbean nations.
General John Kelly, commander of the Miami-based US Southern Command, or SouthCOM, said about 150 Islamic extremists left the Caribbean region to join ISIS fighters in the Middle East last year, about 50 more than in the previous year.
However, he said, the biggest threat might not be the extremists who leave to train and fight with the Islamic State, but the ones who stay behind.
Kelly, who oversees US security in Latin America the Caribbean, said Islamic extremist groups seem to have a new message for would-be jihadists.
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