Director of ONDCP Colonel Edward Croft at National Security Council press conference (screenshot of state media)
Director of ONDCP Colonel Edward Croft is squashing any speculation that Antigua and Barbuda or any of its officials are implicated in the US Department of Justice indictment against the post-president, Nicolas Maduro-Moros of Venezuela.
There was some speculation in the media that several Caribbean leaders were involved. There has been no word on who they are, but Colonel Croft is clarifying that this does not include Antigua and Barbuda.
Colonel Croft was speaking at Friday’s National Security Council press conference.
“We have no information to indicate that that is so. We know that there’s quite a bit of speculation in the media, and so part of safeguarding Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation is to come and clear the air to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda, its officials and its leaders, that we have no information to indicate that anyone is involved or the country is involved in that allegation.”
“As the professional heads of the agencies responsible for national security and law enforcement, we state unequivocally that Antigua and Barbuda has worked vigorously and consistently to counter narcotics trafficking and that this sustained effort is reflected in independent international assessments that classify the country as low risk for such activity,” Col Croft stated.
According to Col Croft, based on recent analysis Antigua and Barbuda is classified as a low-risk jurisdiction.
Despite that analysis, he shared that his office and other colleagues will continue to safeguard the nation.
“Notwithstanding this positive assessment, drug trafficking, fraud and firearms related crimes remain priority concerns.
The public is assured that law enforcement, border control agencies, and the defense force remain fully engaged and vigilant to protect the nation, preserve the integrity of its financial and border systems, and contribute responsibly to regional and international security,” Col Croft added.
I really and truly hope that we are not implicated in any way what soever
Who told you to say that?
Staged press.briefing
So which three Caribbean countries were in the report?
Never heard from kernel croft until his boss call him to campaign for him, all the sudden wealth of ALP politicians and family members did not even get his attention, and all the interference in the investigation carried out by croft subordinates involving Caucasian and syrians where they will get a phone call from the politicians saying leave them alone, but this is the reason why croft comes out, he would s ask by Gaston to fool the citizens, because these ALP politicians have large stash of cash hidden on offshore banks abroad and condominiums in the USA and elsewhere that the USA government could freeze or seize and so they have become very compliant to trump.
I hear what Col. Croft saying, but people have right to question these things you know. Because when big international case like this come out, and Antigua name start getting mention in rumours, people naturally going to wonder if everything really so clean. Saying ‘we have no information’ is not same thing as saying nothing ever happen. Sometimes information only come out years later.
We always hearing how Antigua is ‘low risk’ and doing good work, but at the same time drugs still passing through the Caribbean every day. So the public just want clarity, not speeches. If other Caribbean leaders being hinted at, why nobody calling names? And why we must just take reassurance and move on?
No disrespect to Col. Croft, but people not stupid. Reputation is important yes, but transparency more important. If Antigua really have nothing to do with it, then fine but asking questions don’t mean we accusing anybody. It mean we want facts, not just statements.
We small country but big things does happen quietly sometimes. History show that. So people just want to be sure, not hush-hush. Trust have to be earned, not just declared at press conference