Politics
2562 articles
How Argentina Systematically Erased Its Black Population From History and National Identity
Once home to a substantial African-descended population, Argentina systematically erased its Black citizens from national identity through war, disease, discriminatory immigration policies, exclusionary census practices and cultural omission. As reported by Antigua News Room, historians and anthropologists argue this process offers a stark global lesson in how racism can operate through myth and selective memory rather than formal segregation.
India and Antigua Review CHOGM Plans, Sports and Education Ties
India's Acting High Commissioner Manoj Kumar met with senior Antiguan officials to advance bilateral cooperation, including preparations for CHOGM, sports exchanges and scholarship programmes. The discussions took place during his visit to Antigua for the 12th International Day of Yoga.
PM Browne, FM Greene to Launch CHOGM 2026 Accreditation Portal This Week
Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Foreign Affairs Minister Chet Greene will officially launch the CHOGM 2026 accreditation process at this week's Cabinet meeting on July 15, including the unveiling of a dedicated online accreditation portal. Antigua and Barbuda is set to host the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from November 1 to 4, 2026.
Antigua and US Co-Host 26-Nation Maritime Security Symposium in St. John's
Antigua and Barbuda co-hosted a major three-day international symposium with the United States, bringing together maritime authorities and ship registries from 26 countries to strengthen global enforcement of nonproliferation sanctions. The event, held in St. John's from July 13–15, 2026, targeted illicit maritime networks that fund weapons programmes for rogue regimes.
Barbuda MP Slams Government Over Limited Time to Review US Nationals Transfer MOU
Barbuda MP Trevor Walker criticized the government for circulating a memorandum of understanding with the United States too close to a parliamentary debate, questioning whether lawmakers had sufficient time to review the document. Prime Minister Gaston Browne responded that the MOU is not legally binding and that advance circulation of diplomatic correspondence is not standard practice.
Readers Cautioned: Spain Made No New Visa Deal with Antigua and Barbuda
A reader is calling out regional media for misleadingly portraying Spain's existing Schengen visa policy as a new concession granted to Antigua and Barbuda, stressing that no new arrangement has been negotiated. The visa-free access Antiguans enjoy is a longstanding EU-wide policy, not a bilateral Spanish decision.
Foreign Minister Greene Sets Out Five Principles Governing U.S. Deportee Talks
Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene has laid out five non-negotiable principles guiding Antigua and Barbuda's talks with the United States on the possible acceptance of deported third-country nationals. Greene told Parliament that the principles, which centre on sovereignty, financial protection and mutual benefit, have remained unchanged throughout all discussions.
Matthew: Antigua Must Stay at Negotiating Table Despite 'No Cards' Claims
Education Minister Daryll Matthew has rejected opposition claims that Antigua and Barbuda holds no leverage in negotiations with the United States over the possible transfer of third-country nationals, arguing that walking away from the table — not a small hand — is the only true position of weakness. Matthew outlined key conditions for any eventual agreement, including a cap of 10 persons for 2026 and an absolute prohibition on accepting convicted criminals.
Parliament Passes Visiting Forces Bill to Govern Foreign Security Personnel at CHOGM
Antigua and Barbuda's House of Representatives has passed the Visiting Forces Bill, 2026, creating a legal framework to govern foreign military and security personnel set to assist with operations during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November. The legislation outlines taxation exemptions and customs provisions applicable to visiting forces during their deployment.
Parliament Passes CIP Amendment Bill as Walker Calls for Greater Transparency
The House of Representatives has passed the Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing stronger audits, expanded reporting, and a new regional regulatory framework. Barbuda MP Trevor Walker backed the reforms while urging the government to restore the detailed programme reports originally required under the 2013 legislation.
PM Browne: Rogue Regional Deal Undermined Caribbean Unity in US Negotiations
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has revealed that efforts to build a unified Caribbean response to a US proposal on third-country nationals fell apart after a regional leader independently signed a deal with Washington. Parliament subsequently approved a resolution setting the terms for Antigua and Barbuda's own negotiations with the United States.
PM Browne to Bring Citizenship by Investment Programme to Parliamentary Debate
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the future of Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Programme will be brought before Parliament for debate, as the government weighs the programme's $100 million in revenue against the risk of losing visa-free access to the United States and European Union.
Spain Confirms Visa-Free Access for Antigua and Barbuda Passport Holders
Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed that Antigua and Barbuda passport holders may travel visa-free to Spain and the wider Schengen Area for stays of up to 90 days. The twin-island nation is among nine CARICOM states granted the privilege.
CARICOM Heads Approve Revised Ten-Point Reparations Manifesto at Regional Summit
CARICOM Heads of Government have approved a revised Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice at their 51st Regional Summit in Saint Lucia, with leaders signalling a shift in focus from establishing the case for reparations to demanding implementation. The manifesto, developed by the CARICOM Reparations Commission, seeks redress from European nations for the transatlantic slave trade and the genocide of Indigenous peoples.
Health Minister Urges CARICOM-Wide Registry for Third-Country Nationals
Health Minister Michael Joseph has called on CARICOM and the OECS to establish a coordinated regional system to register and monitor third-country nationals potentially transferred to the Caribbean under arrangements with the United States. Joseph made the remarks during a parliamentary debate on a resolution outlining the framework for Antigua and Barbuda's ongoing negotiations with Washington.
PM Browne: Antigua Will Accept Visa Restrictions Before Taking Foreign Criminals
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said Antigua and Barbuda would accept continued US visa restrictions rather than take in third-country nationals with serious criminal records, while clarifying that current negotiations do not place such a requirement on the table.
Barbuda MP Demands Public Consultation on US Migrant Transfer Framework
Barbuda MP Trevor Walker has criticised the government for bypassing public consultation before bringing its proposed US migrant transfer framework to Parliament, arguing that the arrangement carries implications too significant to be debated without broader national input. Government MPs rejected his concerns, with the Attorney General stressing that the non-binding memorandum has not authorised the transfer of any individual.
Browne Seeks US$75,000 Per Migrant as Antigua Pushes Back on US Transfer Deal
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has proposed the United States pay US$75,000 per person for every third-country national Antigua and Barbuda agrees to accept under a possible migrant transfer arrangement. The figure, raised during a parliamentary debate, remains subject to negotiation, with the government insisting all costs be covered by Washington under a binding agreement before any transfers occur.
Parliament Passes Resolution Setting Strict 12-Point Framework for US Migrant Transfer Talks
Antigua and Barbuda's Parliament has passed a resolution authorising continued negotiations with the United States on third-country national transfers, establishing a strict 12-point framework that preserves the government's full discretion to accept or reject any individual. The resolution explicitly states that no agreement has been approved and no transfers have been authorised.
Minister Johnson: Deportee Resolution Safeguards Sovereignty Without Straining US Ties
Minister of State Kiz Johnson told Parliament that the government's resolution on US deportees to third countries is grounded in sovereign safeguards, individual case review, and secured funding — not open-ended acceptance. She defended the approach as firm diplomacy that protects Antiguan communities without damaging the country's relationship with Washington.