Senator Abena St. Luce says Antigua and Barbuda must prepare for a changing global economy. Therefore, she supports the government’s plan to make Spanish the country’s official second language.

In a social media post shared by the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party on Thursday, St. Luce defended the proposal. Moreover, she said learning Spanish would help citizens compete internationally and strengthen regional connections.

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

She also stressed that the proposal does not mean abandoning national identity. Instead, she said the move reflects the realities of modern trade and communication.

According to St. Luce, Antigua and Barbuda must improve its ability to connect with neighbouring countries. As a result, she believes stronger Spanish language skills could boost trade, collaboration, and economic resilience.

Furthermore, the senator linked the discussion to concerns raised earlier this year about possible United States tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration.

“Remember when everyone started to rally for our region to build stronger trade relations with Latin America?” she wrote.

She argued that Caribbean countries cannot depend only on traditional partnerships. Therefore, she believes stronger ties with Latin America are becoming more important.

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

Meanwhile, the government has already announced plans to move forward with the initiative.

The Cabinet recently directed the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology to begin restructuring the national curriculum. Consequently, Spanish instruction will expand at the preschool, primary, and secondary school levels.

In addition, officials say the changes aim to better prepare young people for future opportunities in business, tourism, and regional cooperation.

Supporters of the proposal argue that bilingual skills could improve job opportunities and help Antigua and Barbuda compete more effectively in international markets.

However, the discussion has also sparked debate online, with some residents questioning how the transition would work in practice.

Still, St. Luce maintains that learning Spanish represents an important step toward future growth and stronger regional engagement.