Politics
2457 articles
Sir Ronald Sanders Takes Helm of OAS Development Council in Washington
Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States and the OAS, has been installed as Chairman of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) in Washington, D.C. The veteran diplomat outlined a three-pillar work plan focused on creating the conditions for inclusive economic growth across the hemisphere.
Letter: Slave Revolt Heroes Should Feature on Eastern Caribbean Currency
A letter writer is calling on the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank to feature slave revolt leaders and freedom fighters on regional banknotes, arguing the newly redesigned currency places too much emphasis on political figures at the expense of a fuller Caribbean history.
Former St. Kitts-Nevis PM Denzil Douglas Reports Successful Back Surgery
Former St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas has released a statement confirming he is recovering well following successful back surgery performed by a neurosurgeon at NYU Langone Health. Douglas linked the procedure to spinal injuries sustained in a life-threatening motor vehicle accident in 1988.
Gov't to Table Parliamentary Resolution on Possible U.S. Deportee Transfer Arrangement
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda will table a parliamentary Resolution on Tuesday setting out the principles that would govern any potential arrangement to receive third-country nationals deported from the United States. The Government also announced it will publicly release both the U.S. proposal and its official response, confirming no agreement has been signed.
PM Browne Steps In to Rescue Antiguans Stranded in Punta Cana After LIAT Cancellation
Antiguan and Barbudan travellers stranded in Punta Cana after a LIAT flight cancellation have returned home following an emergency overnight recovery operation coordinated by Prime Minister Gaston Browne. The special flight landed at V.C. Bird International Airport in the early hours of Monday morning.
PM Browne Steps In to Rescue Stranded LIAT Passengers with Emergency Overnight Flight
Antiguan and Barbudan travellers stranded in Punta Cana after a LIAT flight cancellation were brought home safely Monday morning following a personal intervention by Prime Minister Gaston Browne. The emergency recovery flight required coordination across government, LIAT management, and airport authorities, including a temporary suspension of runway rehabilitation works at V.C. Bird International Airport.
PM Browne to Keynote Global Maritime Security Symposium in Antigua
Prime Minister Gaston Browne will keynote the Second Annual Global Maritime Security and Sanctions Enforcement Symposium on Monday, as roughly 100 international delegates convene in Antigua to address sanctions evasion, fraudulent vessel registrations and other threats to global shipping. The three-day event, co-hosted by ADOMS and the US Department of State, will include workshops on AIS spoofing, sanctions compliance and flag State oversight.
CARICOM Leaders and Private Sector Agree on Concrete Steps to Tackle Regional Cost of Living
CARICOM Heads of Government and regional private sector leaders meeting in Saint Lucia have agreed on concrete, time-bound measures to tackle the Caribbean's rising cost of living, including a September 2026 deadline for a regional ferry framework and potential savings of USD 2.0 billion through import diversification. The second High-Level Breakfast Dialogue also endorsed working groups to ensure accountability in implementing the agreed agenda.
Government Worker Pleads for Access to Collective Bargaining Agreement
A government employee has written an open letter calling for transparency around the Collective Bargaining Agreement for non-established workers, saying neither the union, the ministry, nor the Government Printery could provide a copy of the document that governs their employment conditions.
Caribbean Unions Urged to Expand Focus to Human Rights and Workplace Discrimination
A three-day workshop in Antigua has challenged Caribbean trade unions to place greater emphasis on human rights and combating workplace discrimination, alongside their traditional labour advocacy roles. The event, facilitated by Public Services International, also examined Antigua and Barbuda's draft legislation on sexual harassment and workplace violence against the benchmark of ILO Convention 190.
PM Browne Leads OECS Tribute to Qatar's Late Father Emir Sheikh Hamad
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has written to Qatar's ruling Amir to offer condolences on the death of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Browne also issued a regional tribute on behalf of OECS Heads of Government, praising the late leader's transformative legacy.
Opinion: The Four Monsters Threatening Antigua's Sovereignty in the US Deportation Debate
UWI Five Islands Campus Principal Professor C. Justin Robinson argues that Antigua and Barbuda must confront four distinct threats — outsourced deportation, dehumanising language, diplomatic asymmetry, and partisan division — as the country weighs a US proposal to receive third-country deportees. Writing as reported by Antigua News Room, Robinson urges the nation to hold firm on sovereignty, full vetting, complete funding, and reciprocal visa treatment before any agreement is finalised.
Over 250 Volunteers Trained for CHOGM 2026 as Antigua Pushes to Hit 500-Person Target
More than 250 volunteers have completed training for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting as Antigua and Barbuda works to recruit at least 500 people to support the November summit. Organisers say demand for volunteers exceeds that of any recent major conference hosted by the country.
Over 1,100 Sign Petition Urging Government to Protect Public Access to Jolly Harbour Beach
More than 1,100 people have signed a petition urging Prime Minister Gaston Browne to preserve public parking and access at Jolly Harbour Beach amid concerns over planned development. The campaign, launched by the Antigua Conservation Society on Change.org, calls on the government to safeguard beach access for residents and visitors alike.
PM Browne Calls on ECCB to Channel Reserves into Regional Development
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has proposed that the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank allocate five to eight percent of its foreign reserves toward regional development projects, including renewable energy and infrastructure. The proposal, made at the ECCB Monetary Council meeting in Dominica, is tied to the bank's broader "Big Push" initiative to double the size of the Eastern Caribbean economy within seven years.
CARICOM Endorses Guyana's Bid to Host UN Climate Summit COP35 in 2030
CARICOM leaders have formally endorsed Guyana's bid to host the UN Climate Change Conference COP35 in 2030, and adopted a regional climate diplomacy framework to guide international negotiations through the end of the decade.
Calypso 2030 Founder: Genre's Decline, Not Youth, Is Killing the Art Form
Music producer Andrew Dorsett, founder of the Calypso 2030 initiative, says the genre's declining quality — not youth disinterest — is responsible for Calypso's fading relevance, and is calling on government, philanthropists, and artists to help revitalise the art form.
UPP Senator: TCN Deportee Deal Threatens Antigua's Tourism Brand
UPP Senator Jonathan Wehner has warned that Antigua and Barbuda's deal to accept US-deported third-country nationals could damage the country's tourism brand and deter visitors from America and Europe. He also raised concerns about the unresolved legal status of deportees under existing local laws.
Police Still Awaiting Full Medical Insurance Promised Over a Year Ago
Former Police Welfare Association Chairperson Corporal Marilyn Harris says officers are still waiting for a full medical insurance package promised over a year ago, with the issue brought back into focus by the case of Senior Sergeant Jeffery Benjamin. Harris says repeated proposals to the government since 2019 have yielded no results.
Antigua Eyes Healthcare Partnership with China's Zhejiang People's Hospital
Health Minister Michael Joseph has signalled strong interest in a formal healthcare partnership with China's Zhejiang People's Hospital, following talks during an official visit that could bring specialised medical training and expert missions to Antigua and Barbuda.