Antiguan Nicholas Areche on the run in St. Kitts

Nicholas Santana Areche, the man who allegedly captained the La Belle Michelle, which left Antigua and Barbuda on a risky journey in late March with 30 Cameroonians on board is still on the run in St Kitts and Nevis.

Areche, along with eight Cameroonians escaped from a holding center in St Kitts and Nevis on April 26^th. They were all recaptured according to police, except for Areche.

The escapees were among 16 people, two from Antigua and Barbuda and 14 from Cameroon, who were rescued off the coast of St Kitts and Nevis on March 28^th when their boat capsized.

The boat left on an illegal journey to St Thomas.

Those who were rescued were housed at a government facility pending repatriation to Antigua and Barbuda. Initially, the Gaston Browne administration said they were willing and able to accept the West Africans.

However, a statement from the St Kitts government said that Antigua and Barbuda has since rescinded the offer, effectively canceling all pending arrangements

Now the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to pursue what they said is workable and diplomatic solutions as it is duty-bound to do.