French Guiana becomes CARICOM’s eighth Associate Member

By: Tony Nicholas (St. Lucia TImes)

French Guiana became CARICOM’s eighth Associate Member on Tuesday, just two days after Martinique officially took its seat among leaders in the regional bloc for the first time.

The milestone came during the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government underway in Saint Lucia, where French Guiana signed the agreement defining the conditions for its associate membership.

The accession agreement was signed by CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, and the President of the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana, Gabriel Serville.

As an Associate Member, French Guiana will now be able to participate in the ongoing Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.

President of the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana, Gabriel Serville, signs the agreement. (Photo Credit: CARICOM)

French Guiana’s accession came shortly after it was announced that Martinique had joined as the seventh Associate member. 

Martinique’s associate membership took effect on June 16, 2026, after the signing of its accession agreement in February 2025 and the ratification of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of CARICOM.