The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party has flatly rejected claims by Jamale Pringle that U.S. visa restrictions are the fault of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, or that Pringle himself could resolve them.
ABLP Chairman and Minister for Foreign Affairs cited the position of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated: "In support of this critical objective, the Department of State is announcing a significant expansion of an existing visa restriction policy that targets those working on behalf of U.S. adversaries to undermine our national interests in our hemisphere, including regional security and democratic sovereignty."
Rubio further made clear the principle underpinning all such decisions: "Getting a U.S. visa is not a right; it is a privilege which we alone decide."
The ABLP's statement emphasised that these are decisions taken by the United States Government in pursuit of its own national interests, applied across the Western Hemisphere. They are not within the control of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, and no opposition politician can reverse them through campaign slogans or promises.
Antigua and Barbuda is not alone in facing this situation. Other Caribbean nations are equally affected, and nationals across the region are routinely denied visas under U.S. law and policy.
The party contrasted Pringle's remarks with what it described as the government's substantive diplomatic engagement. As recently as two days ago, Prime Minister Gaston Browne raised the matter directly with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, with Antigua and Barbuda playing an active role in regional discussions aimed at securing improved arrangements with Washington.
The ABLP statement was pointed in its assessment of Pringle's position. "Mr Pringle's statement is either a sign that he does not understand how relations between states work, or a calculated attempt to deceive the people for political gain. Neither is a qualification for leadership."
The party concluded with a blunt reminder: U.S. visa policy is made in Washington, not in St John's, and no degree of political posturing can alter that reality.
