ABLP Senator Abena St. Luce has defended the government’s proposal to make Spanish Antigua and Barbuda’s official second language, arguing that the move is necessary to strengthen trade, regional ties and economic resilience.

In a social media post shared by the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) on Thursday, St. Luce said embracing Spanish was “not about abandoning our identity,” but about preparing citizens for changing global realities.

“Being bilingual is an advantage, not a threat,” she wrote.

St. Luce linked the discussion to concerns raised earlier this year over possible United States tariffs under the Trump administration, saying the issue highlighted the need for stronger regional trade relationships.

“Remember when we first learned the Trump administration was considering imposing heavy tariffs on its trade partners?” she wrote. “Remember when everyone started to rally for our region to build stronger trade relations with Latin America to help reduce the risk of inflation?”

She argued that Antigua and Barbuda must improve its ability to “communicate, compete, and collaborate beyond traditional borders” as international trade patterns continue to shift.

“Strengthening ties with Latin America starts with understanding and yes, embracing its language,” St. Luce added.

Her comments come after Cabinet announced plans to establish Spanish as Antigua and Barbuda’s official second language and directed the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology to begin restructuring the national curriculum to expand Spanish instruction at the preschool, primary and secondary school levels.