PM Browne Defends CIP Against Gonsalves’ “Irresponsible” Remarks
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has sharply criticised recent comments by St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who labelled regional Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIPs) as corrupt and unsustainable.
Describing the remarks as “unfortunate” and “irresponsible,” Browne said on his weekend radio show that Gonsalves had gone “too far” and accused him of launching “a deliberate and provocative attack” on OECS states that operate CIPs.
At a press conference on April 15, Gonsalves claimed that selling passports poses an “existential threat” to Caribbean democracies, and alleged that firms promoting CIPs were financing political campaigns, including those of the opposition NDP in St Vincent. He reiterated his long-standing opposition to the programmes on both principle and practicality.
Browne rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing in Antigua and Barbuda’s programme, stressing that all applicants undergo rigorous vetting, including checks by international and regional agencies such as Interpol.
“Antigua and Barbuda runs a legitimate investment immigration programme,” he said, comparing it to those in the US, Canada, and EU countries, while pointing out that unlike Antigua’s programme, many of those only grant residency, not citizenship.
He added that CIP revenue has been critical to the country’s economic survival, saying the programme had generated over $1 billion since its inception.
Browne also dismissed Gonsalves’ warnings about possible visa restrictions for CIP countries, noting that St Vincent itself lacks visa-free access to Canada and could still be vulnerable to external pressures.
In response to growing international scrutiny, OECS states have recently agreed to stricter regional oversight of CIPs, incorporating recommendations from the US, EU, and UK.
Browne concluded by defending the right of sovereign nations to determine their own policies: “If you choose to have a CIP programme, that has nothing to do with you. You choose not to have one, we respect your decision.”
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Oh please Brownie, the man is talking facts.
How and why on earth would PM Browne of Antigua and Barbuda say the feelings of the St. Vincent Prine Minister about corruption, theft, misuse and national security/interest risk of CIP has nothing to do with the St. Vincent PM who is part of free movement or other agreements with Antigua and Barbuda and other islands with CIP. The fact these unions were made, cause the St. Vincent PM to have strong standing in this issue. Caricom exist, all Caribbean islands are part of. OECS exist, both country is part of. Free-movement or less restrictive movement agreements exist between both country, so what sensible person would make the comment that PM Browne made about the problems the St. Vincent PM pointed out?
Antigua and Barbuda CIP has issues, the world knows that, from waste, fraud, loss, improper use, etcetera.
Why on earth did this CIP made over $1 billion since inception in a country of less than 75,000 people but the economy and infrastructure is still where it is today, way below anything a country with competent leaders and such resource (the $1 billion) should be.
There are unethical issues in the government, conflict of interest, and just outright selfish leaders who will boldly say to citizens, “I can’t help you” when they are asked to do the most basic and easy duty they have to their citizens.
So, the PM of St. Vincent was and still is correct.
Why is it always a shouting match between regional leaders instead of unity?
Why can’t leaders engage in respectful dialogue instead of throwing words like “irresponsible”?
This isn’t just about Antigua—whatever one island does affects the region.