Saint Lucia
The opening of the Brazilian embassy in Castries, in 2007, contributed to strengthening ties and diversifying the bilateral agenda with Saint Lucia, in the context of Brazil's greater political and economic rapprochement with the Caribbean region. Currently, in addition to being the headquarters of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the engagement of Saint Lucia in the Lima Group's efforts to solve the multidimensional Venezuelan crisis reinforces its importance for Brazil.
Among the initiatives that contributed to the rapprochement between the two countries, the Brazil-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit in 2010 is noteworthy. On that occasion, memoranda of understanding were signed in the areas of technical cooperation in public security and agriculture, as well as agreements on technical and educational cooperation, which await ratification by Saint Lucia.
In 2012 the first official visit to Brazil by a Saint Lucia foreign minister took place. On that occasion, aspects of Brazilian cooperation in the Caribbean were discussed, with a focus on family farming and food security. In the same year, Brazil shipped antiretroviral drugs, within the scope of the OECS.
In 2020, through WHO, Brazil donated resources for the acquisition of 6,000 COVID-19 testing kits for Saint Lucia. The arrival of the humanitarian donation was widely reported by the local press, which led to a positive repercussion for the image of Brazil and closer ties of affinity between the two countries.
In 2019, bilateral trade totaled US $ 55.8 million, down 86.4% from the previous year. Brazilian exports to Saint Lucia, which make up almost the entire trade flow, fell from US $ 411 million in 2018 to US $ 55.8 million in 2019. In 2020, largely due to the negative effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in international trade, the downward trend remained, and Brazilian exports to Saint Lucia were around US $ 2.1 million. Therefore, there is plenty of room for expanding bilateral trade in the coming years.
Chronology of bilateral relations
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2012 |
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Lucia visits Brazil |
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2010 |
After the passage of Hurricane Tomas, the Brazilian Government provides a helicopter accompanied by twelve military personnel for a humanitarian assistance mission in Saint Lucia |
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2010 |
The Prime Minister of Saint Lucia visits Brazil, on the occasion of 1st Brazil-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit |
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2008 |
Participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment of Saint Lucia in the Latin America and Caribbean Summit on Integration and Development |
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2007 |
Opening of the Brazilian resident embassy in Saint Lucia |
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1994 |
The Embassy of Brazil in Paramaribo, Suriname oversees Brazilian interests in Saint Lucia |
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1980 |
Establishment of diplomatic relations. Brazilian interests in Saint Lucia are overseen by the embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. |