Prime Minister Gaston Browne

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Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne says he is convinced that visa restrictions imposed by the United States on Antigua and Barbuda were intended to pressure his government into accepting third-country nationals from the US under a proposed resettlement arrangement.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Saturday, Browne said the timing of the restrictions leaves little doubt in his mind that they were linked to Antigua and Barbuda’s refusal to immediately agree to Washington’s proposal.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the restriction that was issued on Antigua as of the end of last year, effective January of this year, was as a result of this issue,” Browne declared.

The United States has been seeking agreements with Antigua and Barbuda and several Caribbean nations to accept a limited number of third-country nationals—individuals who cannot easily be returned to their countries of origin.

According to the Prime Minister, the US first approached Antigua and Barbuda in August 2025 with the proposal. His administration responded that it would only consider accepting up to ten individuals annually and only if they had no criminal background.

Browne said discussions continued for several months and included a follow-up call from a representative of the White House in December. Shortly afterwards, Antigua and Barbuda was informed of visa restrictions affecting its nationals.

“From all indications, that was issued probably to bully us into signing,” Browne said.

The Prime Minister delivered one of his strongest rebukes yet of the US approach, comparing it to someone holding a gun to another person’s head and forcing them to drink poison.

“Well, I’m not going to willingly drink the poison and die. You have to shoot me,” Browne said, insisting that his administration would not sacrifice the country’s interests under external pressure.

While making it clear that Antigua and Barbuda remains open to negotiations, Browne stressed that any agreement must first protect the country’s national security and financial interests.

He said his government will not accept criminals, individuals with serious health issues, or persons who could become a burden on the country’s limited public resources.

“We are not averse to signing,” Browne explained. “But it has to be a sensible agreement.”

The Prime Minister has repeatedly maintained that Antigua and Barbuda reserves the sovereign right to determine who is allowed to enter and reside in the country and that no foreign government will dictate decisions that could compromise the nation’s security or stability.

His latest comments come as negotiations between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States continue over the proposed third-country national arrangement, with the government maintaining that any final agreement must place the interests of the Antiguan and Barbudan people first.