(WINN)—The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it is closely monitoring developments across the OECS regarding citizenship-by-investment programmes, which recently came under scrutiny from the Trump administration in Washington, D.C.
The US administration took action against the regional programme, imposing visa suspension on certain passport holders from Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda.
Like St. Kitts and Nevis, these territories rely heavily on revenues generated through their CBI programmes, which contribute significantly to their gross domestic product (GDP).
As a result, any geopolitical shift can severely affect both the programmes and the wider economies.
Commenting on the recent development, the IMf stated, “The fund is closely monitoring developments related to the citizenship by investment programmes and their external environment.”
The statement continued, “The US has imposed partial travel restrictions effective January 1st, 2026, on certain visa categories for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, citing their citizenship by investment programmes. While the direct economic impact appears limited, downside risks have modestly increased due to potential effects on CBI revenue, travel and business mobility.”
The US administration cited concerns about the absence of comprehensive biometric data and the lack of residency requirements for economic citizens.
In response, leaders of both territories have spoken out against the measures. Meanwhile, concerns continue to mount over the region’s reliance on CBI revenues.
In St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Hon. Dr Terrence Drew has reiterated the need to diversify the local economy to reduce dependency on the programme.
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The proceeds from the sale of the RUSSIAN OLIGARCH YACHT ALFA NERO and CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES needs to be investigated.GASTON BROWN is running the country using the revenue collected from CIP and the sale of the ALFA NERO YACHT as private “FIEFDOM” for the benefit of themselves and a small select group of government supporters enriching the few,while the majority lives in POVERTY.CIP IS NOT A COMMODITY.
All is not lost PRESIDENT TRUMP reference to the SUPREME COURT ruling on TARRIFS.UNITED STATES OF AMERICA has the largest gold holdings of 8134 metric tons.The U.S need to revert to the GOLD STANDARD which would stabilise AMERICA’S future and restore INTEGRITY and STABILITY to the U.S dollar and the IMF qualities that have been sorely missing for years.The U.S GOVERNMENT does not need approval from CONGRESS to implement the GOLD STANDARD.
In order to acheive this THE U.S GOVERNMENT will have to set a price of 150,000.00 US DOLLARS per troy ounce of GOLD.
Do the MATHS:One ton of gold is 32,150.7 troy ounces of gold,therefore 8134 METRIC TONS of gold will cost 8134 multiply by 32,150.7 multiply by 150,000.00 U.S DOLLARS per troy ounce is equal to approximately 39 TRILLION U.S DOLLARS of which the U.S GOVERNMENT will be able to pay off its NATIONAL DEBT.
Returning to the gold standard can provide monetary stability, fiscal discipline, and long-term predictability in economic planning.
Monetary Stability: A gold standard ties the value of currency to a fixed quantity of gold, which inherently limits the ability of governments to print money arbitrarily. This scarcity-based system helps prevent runaway inflation because the money supply can only expand in line with gold reserves, unlike fiat currency, which can be issued without limit. By anchoring currency to a tangible asset, citizens and investors gain confidence that the currency will maintain its purchasing power over time.
Fiscal Discipline: Under a gold standard, governments cannot finance deficits by simply creating new money. This forces more responsible budgeting, as any new currency must be backed by gold. The system acts as an external check on excessive government spending, reducing the risk of accumulating unsustainable sovereign debt and discouraging politically motivated fiscal expansions.
Predictability and Long-Term Planning: A fixed gold value provides stable exchange rates and predictable currency behavior, which benefits international trade, long-term contracts, and investment planning. Businesses and savers can make decisions with greater certainty, reducing exposure to currency fluctuations and inflation surprises. This predictability is particularly valuable for sectors like pensions, infrastructure, and long-term financial instruments.
Limiting Economic Bubbles: By restricting the ability to expand the money supply, a gold standard can help prevent speculative bubbles caused by excessive liquidity, such as those seen in real estate or financial markets. This can contribute to a more sustainable long-term economic outlook and reduce the likelihood of recurring financial crises.
Psychological and Institutional Benefits: The gold standard serves as a credible commitment mechanism, signaling that monetary policy is constrained by a tangible asset rather than political discretion. This can enhance public trust in the currency and reduce the temptation for short-term, opportunistic policy decisions.
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