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PM Browne Warns U.S. Against Turning Drug Bust into Military Escalation in the Caribbean

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PM Browne Warns U.S. Against Turning Drug Bust into Military Escalation in the Caribbean

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a sharp warning that while he won’t condemn U.S. action against drug traffickers, any move toward military intervention in the region would be met with firm opposition.

Washington announced this week that it destroyed a drug boat allegedly linked to Venezuela’s Tren De Aragua gang, killing eleven people in the strike.

According to an article published in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, Browne said “If indeed it is that the US took out a boat and it involved narco-traffickers, I don’t know that anyone could condemn any such act.”

But he made it clear that Antigua and Barbuda would not tolerate a broader show of military force in the hemisphere. “When it comes to escalation of any military conflict in the region, I stand opposed to any such intervention. We want to ensure that it remains a hemisphere of peace, where all citizens can feel secure.”

Browne called on global powers to stop turning disputes into wars, insisting that only diplomacy and dialogue can solve regional tensions. “We condemn all acts of military intervention and all wars – they bring no value whatsoever to humanity.”

The Prime Minister brushed aside suggestions of CARICOM involvement if the U.S. version of events is accurate, but he warned against a slippery slope. “If, on the other hand, this is a precursor to any military intervention, then we will certainly condemn any such military conflict that may arise.”

His concern is that even limited military action in Latin America could destabilize the wider Caribbean. “Any military conflict will result in unintended consequences for the entire Caribbean… The impact of any military conflict will have a disproportionate effect on Caribbean countries that rank among the most vulnerable and least resilient in the world.”

Framing his position as more than politics, Browne cast himself as a voice for peace. “My articulations are therefore in defence of national interest, regional interest and hemispheric interest; the interest of all. I consider myself an advocate for global peace, love, unity, truth and justice – including climate justice.”

Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

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Comments (11)

  • Sheesh September 29, 2025, 8:31 PM

    The Caribbean has witnessed interventions in the past. Let us not forget that eh people…from Grenada in 1983 to Haiti more recently. Each time, the results were controversial and often left countries struggling to rebuild trust in their institutions. Browne’s caution reflects these lessons: that military intervention tends to create as many problems as it solves. Supporting targeted anti-drug efforts is reasonable, but endorsing open-ended U.S. operations could repeat history’s mistakes.

  • Informed citizen September 5, 2025, 6:08 PM

    Strong stance by the PM. The Caribbean must not become a battleground for U.S. military operations.

  • CKH September 5, 2025, 12:23 PM

    Antigua and Barbuda, like its neighbors, faces real challenges from drug trafficking and transnational gangs. You know the amount of drugs coming to our island from the US and also Venezuela. Come on. The US cannot fight down drugs when drugs are comin from them. Anyway… the Prime Minister correctly points out that combating these threats should not come at the cost of destabilizing the wider region. Military strikes may offer short-term victories, yet they often fail to address the root causes of organized crime. A Caribbean-led security strategy, supported by partners but not dominated by foreign militaries, is the more sustainable path.

  • Donna September 5, 2025, 9:58 AM

    Do any of the other Caribbean leaders speak out on this situation, other than the leader of Antigua and Barbuda? Ten thousand native-born Antiguans and Barbudans are living in America. Gassy/Top-Dog needs to be careful with his words when addressing this situation between the USA and Venezuela. We don’t want Mr Trump to start making it difficult for our native-born people living there—legally and illegally. PM Browne, I agree with your statement but please be careful with your words!!

  • Pearl September 5, 2025, 8:21 AM

    Stay outta dem people business ras gassy

  • Avandelle Vidal September 5, 2025, 8:19 AM

    I honestly dont want to get too deep into this matter betwene Venezuella and the US. This has been a long standing issue between them two hot heads. But since our PM commented let me say this. The Prime Minister is absolutely right to draw a line between supporting legitimate counter-narcotics operations and opposing broader U.S. military intervention. The Caribbean has long prided itself on being a zone of peace, and unchecked U.S. deployments risk undermining that. Destroying a suspected drug boat may be justifiable, but once a precedent is set, what stops Washington from expanding these actions into more aggressive policing of our waters? Browne’s warning is therefore necessary to ensure that Caribbean sovereignty is not eroded under the banner of crime-fighting

  • Juju Bee September 5, 2025, 8:02 AM

    Well well well. See right where we are in our small islands and here comes the US causing conflicts in our region. We are not used to those sort of things nor do we need them in our region

  • Terry September 5, 2025, 8:00 AM

    The U.S. will do what it wants regardless, but it’s important for our leaders to take a principled stance.

  • Milenda September 5, 2025, 7:47 AM

    The PM is right to call for peace, the Caribbean can’t afford to get dragged into conflicts we didn’t start

  • Nat turner September 5, 2025, 6:57 AM

    Usa bin want Venezuela from since Chavez days we are friend to Venezuela so we must talk against their actions that’s all we can do ..we all know the want to control that black gold oil in the September 2025 at 06:52
    Usa bin want Venezuela from since Chavez days we are friend to Venezuela so we must talk against their actions that’s all we can do ..we all know the want to control that black gold oil in the country and now they making their move. fake news talking bout drug cartels and the gov to try to get rights from the masses to go in there same as Iraq …but all we can do as islands is talk against and now theyaking their move fake news talking to to me man bout drug cartels and the gov to try to get rights from the masses to go in there same as Iraq …but all we can do as islands is talk against

  • Nat turner September 5, 2025, 6:52 AM

    Usa bin want Venezuela from since Chavez days we are friend to Venezuela so we must talk against their actions that’s all we can do ..we all know the want to control that black gold oil in the country and now theyaking their move fake news talking bout drug cartels and the gov to try to get rights from the masses to go in there same as Iraq …but all we can do as islands is talk against real talk

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