Politics
2562 articles
Freeland: Antigua First Country to Debate Third-Country National Deportee Terms in Parliament
Minister of State Michael Freeland defended the government's handling of a resolution on third-country national deportees, telling the House of Representatives that the issue has been public for months and that Antigua and Barbuda is the first country to debate such terms in parliament. Freeland also pushed back against opposition criticism, calling on members to propose alternatives rather than oppose the resolution outright.
PM Browne Wins Public Praise for Rejecting Criminal Transfers Over U.S. Visa Concerns
Prime Minister Gaston Browne's vow to accept U.S. visa restrictions rather than receive criminals under a third-country transfer arrangement has drawn broad public support on social media, according to Antigua News Room. Some commenters, however, raised questions about the government's signed Memorandum of Understanding with Washington.
Turner Accuses Barbuda MP of Misleading Public Over Deportee-CIP Link
Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner accused Barbuda MP Trevor Walker of misleading the public by linking the government's third-country nationals resolution to the Citizenship by Investment Programme. Turner told the House the two issues are unrelated and called for a united front on what he described as a national matter.
ABS Will Not Air Live Carnival 2026 Coverage Due to Mandatory 24-Hour Delay Order
ABS Television and Radio has announced it will not air Antigua Carnival 2026 events live, following a mandatory order requiring all broadcasts to be delayed by 24 hours. The state broadcaster did not identify who issued the directive or explain the reason behind it.
PM Browne Warns Antigua May Suspend CIP Amid U.S. and EU Visa Pressure
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that Antigua and Barbuda may need to suspend its Citizenship by Investment Programme as pressure mounts from both the United States and the European Union over visa restrictions linked to the scheme.
PM Browne Raises Possibility of Suspending CIP to Restore US, EU Visa Access
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has signalled that Antigua and Barbuda may need to consider suspending its Citizenship by Investment Programme in order to restore full visa access to the United States and European Union. The remarks represent a notable shift in tone from his earlier insistence that the programme would continue regardless of the outcome of ongoing negotiations.
Ministry of Works Drivers Return to Work After Pay Dispute Resolved
Heavy-duty truck drivers at the Ministry of Works staged a brief protest Tuesday morning over outstanding payments, blocking the Denry Lane compound entrance before returning to work following talks with management.
Ministry of Works Truckers End Road Blockade After Management Talks
Heavy-duty truckers at the Ministry of Works ended a morning blockade of their compound on Denry Lane after management met with employees and provided assurances that outstanding payment concerns are being addressed.
Greene: Antigua Engaged US on Migrant Transfers to Protect Sovereignty, Not Yield It
Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene told Parliament on Tuesday that Antigua and Barbuda engaged the United States over the possible transfer of third-country nationals in order to protect — not compromise — its sovereignty. Greene outlined five non-negotiable principles that guided negotiations and detailed significant changes the government secured before countering Washington's original proposals.
PM Browne Calls for Global Action Against Rising Maritime Crime at Antigua Symposium
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that rising illegal activities at sea threaten global security, speaking at the opening of the 2026 Global Maritime Security and Sanctions Enforcement Symposium in Antigua and Barbuda. The three-day event has brought together more than 90 delegates from governments, international maritime organisations, and industry bodies to address sanctions evasion, fraudulent vessel registrations, and illicit shadow fleets.
AG Benjamin: No Final Deal Reached on US Third-Country National Transfers
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin told Parliament that Antigua and Barbuda has not finalised any agreement with the United States on third-country national transfers, clarifying that lawmakers are being asked only to approve guiding principles for ongoing negotiations. Benjamin emphasised that the country retains full control over immigration decisions, including the right to refuse any proposed transfer.
Fernandez Warns Tourism at Stake in US Negotiations Over Third-Country Nationals
Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez has warned that Antigua and Barbuda's economy — some 60 to 65 percent of which depends on tourism — is at stake in ongoing negotiations with the United States over the transfer of third-country nationals. Speaking in Parliament, Fernandez called for a careful balancing act that upholds national dignity without jeopardising the country's most critical industry.
AG: Antigua Accepted Five US-Deported Nationals Since March 2025
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin revealed in Parliament on Tuesday that Antigua and Barbuda accepted five U.S.-deported nationals between March 2025 and June 2026, while clarifying that no final agreement on third-country national transfers with Washington currently exists.
PM Browne: Antigua Will Not Become 'Dumping Ground' Under US Third Country National Deal
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has told Parliament that Antigua and Barbuda will not sign a Third Country National agreement with the United States unless it includes firm written protections against the transfer of violent criminals, unaccompanied minors, and individuals with unresolved asylum claims. Browne stressed the country will cooperate with Washington but will not allow the island to become a 'dumping ground.'
PM Browne: Antigua Would Accept US Visa Curbs Before Taking Foreign Criminals
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said Antigua and Barbuda would accept US visa restrictions rather than receive foreign nationals with criminal backgrounds, while clarifying that current negotiations do not obligate the country to take any such individuals. Speaking in Parliament, Browne outlined the government's firm conditions for any potential third-country national transfer agreement with the United States.
Walker: Antigua and Barbuda Holds 'No Cards' in US Negotiations Over Third-Country Nationals
Barbuda MP Trevor Walker warned in parliament Tuesday that Antigua and Barbuda lacks negotiating leverage with the United States over the potential transfer of third-country nationals, citing existing US visa restrictions and calling for regional solidarity and greater public consultation before any deal is signed.
Antigua Seeks US$75,000 Per Migrant in Talks with Washington
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda will demand up to US$75,000 per third-country national in negotiations with the United States, arguing the island's high cost of living warrants greater financial support than other countries have received. Browne told Parliament no agreement will be finalised without advance written funding commitments.
PM Browne Renews Push for OECS Airline, Citing Chronic Regional Travel Failures
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has renewed his call for an OECS-owned, privately operated regional airline, citing chronic flight delays — including a six-hour airport wait that caused him to miss a CARICOM Summit opening — and the threat of reduced international carrier services to Eastern Caribbean destinations.
PM Browne Tables Parliamentary Resolution on Third-Country National Transfer Agreement
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has presented a resolution in Parliament to establish a governing framework for any agreement involving the transfer of third-country nationals. The move places potential arrangements of this nature under parliamentary oversight.
Ministry of Works Employees Block Road in Protest Over Unpaid Wages
Employees of Antigua and Barbuda's Ministry of Works blocked the road outside the ministry on Tuesday using heavy-duty trucks, demanding payment of outstanding wages. The government had not publicly responded to the industrial action as of press time.