The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has unveiled a targeted initiative to strengthen ties with the country's Spanish-speaking community, following a standing-room-only meeting at the Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre on Friday night.
Prime Minister and ABLP Political Leader Gaston Browne led the engagement alongside St John's Rural South candidate Daryll Matthew and St John's Rural West candidate Michael M. Joseph. The event gave community members a direct platform to raise concerns and receive responses from party officials.
Browne outlined a proposed Dominican Republic Integration Programme (DRIP), designed to better integrate Spanish-speaking residents into Antiguan and Barbudan society. The initiative would be coordinated through a dedicated unit within the Office of the Prime Minister.
Under the programme, residents would be encouraged to register their skills, enabling the government to match them with employment opportunities more suited to their qualifications. Browne also indicated that participants would gain access to the Prime Minister's Entrepreneurial Fund to support business ventures, and that discussions would be held with credit unions and financial institutions to broaden financing options for community members.
Browne further pledged to introduce free English language classes in areas with large Spanish-speaking populations, a measure aimed at improving communication and social integration. The proposals drew strong approval from those in attendance.
During the question-and-answer segment, several attendees raised concerns about lengthy delays in obtaining Antigua and Barbuda passports, with some reporting waits of over a year after submitting documentation. Browne said the matter would be reviewed to identify and resolve bottlenecks in the naturalisation process.
Concerns about treatment at the Immigration Department were also raised, with some individuals describing negative experiences. The Prime Minister acknowledged the issues and committed to examining them.
Although the programme is named after the Dominican Republic, Browne clarified that it will extend to all Spanish-speaking residents, including nationals from countries such as Cuba.
The meeting forms part of the ABLP's broader community outreach efforts ahead of the April 30 general election.
