Exciting news from #SaintLucia 🇱🇨 !
Officials from the government of Saint Lucia and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force have joined forces to launch UNEX’24, a groundbreaking Regional Security System project.
From April 3 to April 14, 2024, Saint Lucia will be hosting the Unity Exercise, also known as UNEX’24.
Under the leadership of RSS Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Beltran, who has been appointed as the Exercise Director, this initiative is made possible through the European Union’s 11th European Development Fund, with RSS serving as the executing agency. EU-funded SEACOP was also in attendance of the launching ceremony, as a long-standing partner of the countries of the region in their efforts to fight illicit maritime trafficking.
The primary objective of UNEX’24 is to combat international organised crime and counteract terrorist activities within the region. Lieutenant Colonel Beltran highlighted that this drill will significantly enhance the security and effectiveness of police forces across all participating nations.
“All member states will come together with their police and defence forces to train together so that they can understand standard operating procedures and be able to deal with these threats in the region,” he said.
Dr. Virginia Albert Poyotte, the Minister for Home Affairs, expressed her enthusiasm for commencing UNEX’24 alongside the RSS, particularly in light of the recent surge in crime within Saint Lucia and its neighbouring areas
Acting Police Commissioner Ronald Philip expressed his wholehearted support to UNEX’24, emphasising the exercise’s pivotal role in assessing vulnerabilities, enhancing interconnectivity, and evaluating the efficacy of systems during crisis situations. Preparatory training sessions will cover various areas, including IT, cybercrime, human trafficking, and intelligence, culminating in the culmination of the exercise on April 14.
