Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended his decision not to attend a meeting in Jamaica to discuss the situation in Haiti

Browne was one of the first prime ministers to declare publicly that Ariel Henry, the Haitian President, should step aside

When PM Browne made the suggestions, not many people were happy about it however, it didn’t take long for Henry to announce his decision to step down.

When Browne met with his Cabinet colleagues this week, he confirmed that Antigua and Barbuda had already communicated its stance on the matter at the last Heads of Government meeting held in Guyana in March 2024.

At the Guyana meeting, Browne emphasized that his country wished to see Haitian Prime Minister Henry resign, as it would be challenging to negotiate a settlement without him.

Although Prime Minister Henry announced his intention to resign upon forming a National Council at the subsequent CARICOM meeting in Jamaica, Browne could not attend.

He clarified to his cabinet that his physical presence was not mandatory at such gatherings and that his views were communicated to the body.

He also highlighted the practicality of remaining in Antigua after a week-long absence, as his presence in the nation was necessary due to ongoing commitments and responsibilities.

Despite his absence from the Jamaica meeting, Browne assured that Antigua and Barbuda would continue participating in ongoing discussions on Haiti.

As the situation in Haiti remains uncertain, the engagement and coordination among CARICOM member states continue to be pivotal in seeking a resolution to the enduring challenges facing the Haitian nation.