Lovell links U.S. travel restrictions to Alfa Nero yacht dispute, warns of diplomatic fallout
Opposition politician Harold Lovell says the United States’ decision to impose partial travel restrictions on Antigua and Barbuda is rooted in a series of diplomatic missteps, including the government’s handling of the seized Russian-owned superyacht Alfa Nero.
Speaking recently on Observer Radio, Lovell argued that the U.S. move “did not happen in a vacuum,” and rejected claims that it stemmed from Antigua and Barbuda’s refusal to host U.S. military radar equipment. He noted that discussions about possible sanctions had begun months earlier, before any such request was made .
Lovell pointed instead to what he described as a serious geopolitical dispute arising from the seizure and subsequent sale of the Alfa Nero, a Russian-linked luxury yacht that became the subject of a prolonged legal battle. He said the government had been warned about the risks involved and entered a complex international matter without the necessary diplomatic care .
According to Lovell, the case placed Antigua and Barbuda in the middle of powerful global interests, exposing the country to retaliation that ultimately affected ordinary citizens. He said the dispute went beyond legal ownership and into sensitive geopolitical territory involving wealthy international actors with influence across borders .
Lovell criticised Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s leadership, saying the country’s diplomacy lacked tact and strategic judgment. He argued that small island states must exercise restraint and precision when dealing with major powers, warning that careless statements and decisions can place an entire nation at risk .
He also referenced concerns raised previously in Parliament about the yacht, including questions surrounding ownership claims and financial interests tied to the vessel, saying those warnings were ignored and later played out in court challenges overseas .
Lovell said Antigua and Barbuda now faces the consequences of those decisions, urging greater diplomatic discipline and awareness in international dealings to avoid further fallout.
The United States announced the partial travel restrictions earlier this month, a move that has raised concern about its impact on travel and international relations involving Antigua and Barbuda.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
There are times when a politician is in sinc with the thoughts of a country. The Prime Minister of Barbados 🇧🇧 Mia Mottley is one, and our own returning UPP Member, the Most Honourable Harold Lovell seems cut from the same political cloth.
He’s hit the ground running since announcing his intention of retaking the All Saints West seat from the deluded Anthony ‘Silver Man’ Smith.
Many UPP supporters were hoping for an injection of political vitality, after Richard Lewis was – I believe – wrongly rejected for leadership of the party.
That is the past, however, Mr Lovell has revitalised our future with aplomb.
A top, top politician. Antiguans should be proud 👏🏾
Lovell would do well to simply remain silent on this issue. The entire UPP cabal have proven to be most disloyal to the nation in this entire situation with US government’s decision. That is no surprise, though, as it is the way the UPP have always functioned. It is a party that thrives on hatred and joy and delight in the smearing of Antigua’s name. In fact, the UPP has been known to actively assist in attempting to smear the country image while in opposition and then turn around to proclaim, “the pride is back” when in government. Hypocrites!!!
WELL SAID!!!
In the pass five years, this administration has made some serious head scratching decisions about some of the most serious incidents that have hit the islands of A&B.
You can name a bunch of them that the have handled atrociously terrible.
I’m saying this because I’m bias of the ABLP, I’m saying this because of the truth. Since COVID, this administration has made terrible decisions after terrible decisions, and now we are paying for it and continues to pay for it.
Not that all off them have anything to do with the US, but there is a pattern with this administration to make these terrible decisions without even as mush as to have the dignity to collaborate with the people of Antigua. Not one time have they ever come to the people of Antigua with construction, not one, and now they are out here screaming from the rooftop that they are victims.
The current leaders in Antigua only engage the people only to get their votes, but as soon as they give out their ham and turkey, they left the voters in the dark and go about their own affairs like we don’t exist.
So many things have gotten us here, and GB and co are dead in the center of it all.
In the pass five years, this administration has made some serious head scratching decisions about some of the most serious incidents that have hit the islands of A&B.
You can name a bunch of them that the have handled atrociously terrible.
I’m saying this because I’m bias of the ABLP, I’m saying this because of the truth. Since COVID, this administration has made terrible decisions after terrible decisions, and now we are paying for it and continues to pay for it.
Not that all off them have anything to do with the US, but there is a pattern with this administration to make these terrible decisions without even as mush as to have the dignity to collaborate with the people of Antigua. Not one time have they ever come to the people of Antigua with construction, not one, and now they are out here screaming from the rooftop that they are victims.
The current leaders in Antigua only engage the people only to get their votes, but as soon as they give out their ham and turkey, they left the voters in the dark and go about their own affairs like we don’t exist.
So many things have gotten us here, and GB and co are dead in the center of it all.
Yes you hit the nail on the head.. but remember .. he go a kick Back from that sale and a few others .. plus remember trump big friend in Putin….and that level of greed cost us a lot ..wake up people.. we need an altitude adjuster a lift..time for a change.. tic toc …
Lovell you are so weak, that’s why you will never be Prime minister. I want to believe this sanction of the Alfa and many other sanctioning of Russian assets around the world was first put on the table by the US, after the Russian attacked Ukraine.
First it’s the CBI, then biometric passport, now according to Lovell it’s the Alfa. All I have to say to present visa holders of this country traveling to the US, get ready for some serious questioning or interrogation by US immigration.
Somebody will be sued, by Mr. & Mrs. Alohonso Sue.
During world war or tribal war 2, Hitler ask the royal family how they could arm black monkeys with guns to kill white people? And that today is relevant, white people don’t believe a black ruler should touch white property, Haiti killed the white slave masters for their freedom and they are punished to this day , Gaston taking the alpha Nero boat will be punish so that there is no such precedence again, he and his family will pay, and the things he has done against Antiguan it will be hard to say where he will seek exile.
Talk about the black people that UK arm with guns against Hitler, they were nuff and edge up and loved the queen and what they called motherland or metropolis, and we celebrate them today with a cenataph monument in their honor, but the UK rewarded all the white retired army veterans with lands in Antigua except the black ones, they now have to sell pappy flowers to support their memories today. They helped UK gain power and not their black people.
It is obvious that folks in the ALP realm fear Mr. Lovell to the extent that everytime he is mentioned they are triggered to behave like they are cornered. Mr. Lovell was never a member of the boat-selling, money-huffing team; neither was he an accomplice in the car theft ring. No one has ever implicated him in the trafficking of ‘Wealthy Africans’ , some 13 of whom lost their lives enroute to the United States through Antigua. They have all the defending to do as their lord is a known criminal. The U.S has all reason to be wary of him.
Well said Sir u a 100 percent Gaston a u and u cronies case dis to we u going to get punish Fu um time will tell mark u
U are so 100persent Gaston an e cronies put us in dis problem ya even the blind can see dat and the deaf can hear dat fu ar u fault say no more
All I can say is that Lovell is an idiot. The US sanctioned Alfa Nero and created the problem. The US has sanctioned and sold yachts. Alfa Nero could not have been sold without the permission of the US as an application had to be made to them to lift the sanction before yacht could be sold. All of this was in the news.
How come Faithful National #1 is not taking a swipe at Lovell on this one, I’m very surprised his tongue must be swollen from the amount of ass licking he has been doing lately
Now i honestly know why the UPP will have a very difficult time regaining power in A&B.
Yes the US sanctioned Russia but that was Biden administration under Trump administration everything is different….Trump is trying to make a deal with Putin how can you make a deal if you sold off what you forcefully took away….Trump is transactional that family have over 10 billion the interest on their money is couple hundred million per year they could easily buy Trump coins or donate to his Pact and have the same US government punish who they want
@Wash an’ Basin you fo know that Gaston and the ABLP Cabal would be doing some of the things UPP is doing and even more. Right? Isn’t this what politicians do? Do you recall the John Ashe saga? Gaston literally beat Baldwin with a Bilay bull-bud with his words and condemnation. Can you recall those days?
The Alfa Nero saga is once again, in the public domain. Is Lovell been blamed for this too?
It looks like Gaston is up to his balding head in shaving cream. Is this the power of Weaver’s statue on All Saints Road? That statue ju-ju working, don’t you think?
He was there when Balwin called Chavez and beg and cry for a 50 million loan to bail out the economy from crashing he crashed the economy and Chavez save the day what an ungrateful bunch of people now they are turning on Maduro but God dont sleep they will be in oppositon for the next century Gaston will beat them every time
Harol Lovel, every body know that you are rejoicing about the banned US visa but that have nothing to do with the Alfa Nero. Stop misleading the people of Antigua and Barbuda. The US just lifted the banned US Visa on Dominica. Campaign on truth and no lies
Comments are closed.