The Regional Security System’s Unity Exercise (UNEX 24) will start in Saint Lucia today with over 200 military personnel and police officials from across the Caribbean participating.
The RSS exercise will showcase a wide range of military techniques on land and sea, according to a video shared on the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force’s Facebook page, and is “a testament to our preparedness.”
“The site of live ammunition and the heavy presence of forces might be unusual but there’s no cause for alarm,” the video stated, noting that all activities will be taking place in a safe environment “designed to strengthen our defenses against modern threats.”
The activities of UNEX will be taking place in Gros Islet, Castries and Vieux Fort and will come to an end on April 13.
(UNEX 24) is co-funded by the RSS and the EU to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, CARICOM and CARIFORUM in collaboration with the Government of St. Lucia under the RSS’ 11th European Development Fund project.
This year UNEX will deal with a number of critical issues including transnational crime and terrorism, former Acting Police Commissioner Ronald Phillip said at the launch of UNEX 24 last year.
Philip said the exercise will provide participants with the perfect opportunity to strengthen their readiness and interoperability in the fight against crime saying that “in recent times we have all witnessed the rise of arms trafficking as an independent industry.”
“This Unity Exercise is very important to the Caribbean region as it provides a much-needed platform. Such training exercises are designed to prepare member states for any eventuality which may pose a threat to our region or issues which may undermine citizens safety and security,” Phillip stated.
Additionally, he said, the exercise will see us embarking on developing goals and executing plans to deal with issues of transnational organized crime, terrorism and its associated evils.
He also observed that there was “a lull in the quantity of training received in recent times. I welcome the funding and commitment from the European Union and the Regional Security System. This level of commitment and dedication will go a long way in ensuring that Unity Exercise 2024 is a success.”
Home Affairs Minister Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte who was also present at the launch of UNEX last year said “in light of the government’s commitment to strengthen security in the country this exercise is of great importance to the prime minister and his Cabinet of Ministers.”
(MA)