WASHINGTON, Sept 20, CMC – The United States has congratulated the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis on 43 years of political independence from Great Britain.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement on Saturday, said the United States values its longstanding partnership with Saint Kitts and Nevis.
“The United States values our longstanding partnership with Saint Kitts and Nevis, grounded in shared priorities that advance stability and economic prosperity in our region,” Rubio said.
Rubio, who visited Saint Kitts and Nevis in February, said he worked with Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew and Caribbean leaders on strengthening cooperation to combat transnational criminal organisations, disrupt illicit trafficking and strengthen border security.
“As we work together to address shared challenges and protect our nations, the United States remains a steadfast partner,” he said.
“On this important occasion, I extend my best wishes to the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis and look forward to further strengthening the friendship between our countries,” Rubio added.
The message comes after Drew publicly confirmed on September 13 that he suffered a stroke late last month.
Drew, 49, said he was initially admitted to the Joseph N. France General Hospital on August 30 after experiencing symptoms including nausea, dizziness and balance problems.
He was subsequently flown to Florida on September 2 for further medical evaluation and has since been discharged from hospital.
“After all of the analysis, I suffered a stroke. This stroke was a dissection of one of the arteries in the back of my brain called the vertebral artery,” Drew said in an eight-minute broadcast to the Federation.
He said the limitations on his mind and body had been well controlled and managed, and that he could move all his limbs and speak well.
Drew said he was undergoing rehabilitation, including occupational therapy and “IOT”, and that his rehabilitation exercises were going extremely well.
“At this point in time, I can say, both mentally and psychologically and also physically, I’m doing much better than my ailment will suggest,” he said.
Drew, who has led the government since August 6, 2022, also said his administration has “multiple contingency plans in place from the worst-case scenario to a minor disruption.”
CMC/ed/26