by Linda Straker
- Cindy Diouf is the newly appointed Principal Officer assigned to US Embassy, Grenada
- Diouf met with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell on 18 August 2025
- Discussions included visa restrictions, security partnerships and supporting recovery post-Hurricane Beryl
A discussion centred around visa restrictions for Government officials and their families was among the topics with Cindy Diouf, the newly appointed Principal Officer assigned to the US Embassy, Grenada, when she met with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell on 18 August 2025.
On 13 August, a statement on the US State Department website said that the US had imposed visa restrictions on Grenadian, African and Cuban officials involved in the Cuban regime’s coercive forced labour export scheme.
A statement posted on the Facebook page of the Office of the Prime Minister said that during the meeting, Diouf reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to deepening collaboration efforts with Grenada.
Government is yet to confirm receiving any official correspondence from the Trump Administration about the visa restriction, but announced that a formal diplomatic note has already been transmitted to the Office of the US Secretary of State, and Grenada awaits further communication. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to resolving this issue with the utmost respect for international protocols,” said the statement on Facebook.
The visa restriction is set to affect holders of A1, A2 and A3 visas. Neither the US nor the Grenada Government has disclosed the number of government officials affected nor the names of the officials. Under the US visa system, the A-1 visa is for heads of state, ambassadors, ministers, and career diplomats, along with their immediate family members. The A-2 visa is for other accredited foreign government officials and employees, as well as their families, while the A-3 visa is for personal employees, attendants, or servants of A-1 or A-2 visa holders.
Other matters discussed during the meeting ranged from security partnerships to supporting Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s recovery post-Hurricane Beryl.
According to the statement, Prime Minister Mitchell reflected on previous engagements with Diouf’s predecessor, Frances Herrera, emphasising the need for:
- Enhanced security measures, including biometric systems
- Continued collaboration with Caricom IMPACS
- Deeper conversations following climatic disasters
He also highlighted urgent housing challenges in Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister shared his vision for Grenada, focusing on:
- Strategic investments in energy and food security
- Stronger ties with the African continent
- Prioritising education and healthcare, including the construction of the new teaching hospital, Project Polaris
