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Gail Alexander/ TRINIDAD GUARDIAN
Senior Political Reporter
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Gaston Browne says if the United States indeed took action against narco-traffickers on Tuesday, it may not be condemned. However, he also says if the incident was a precursor to any military intervention, he would certainly condemn it.
Speaking yesterday, after the US on Tuesday announced it had destroyed an alleged drug boat connected to the Venezuelan Tren De Aragua gang, Browne said, “If indeed it is that the US took out a boat and it involved narcotraffickers, I don’t know that anyone could condemn any such act.
“But when it comes to escalation of any military conflict in the region, I stand opposed to any such intervention in this hemisphere. We want to ensure that it remains a hemisphere of peace, where all citizens can feel secure.”
He said while there will always be differences, this should be resolved using dialogue and diplomacy, “and we condemn all acts of military intervention and all wars – they bring no value whatsoever to humanity.”
However, Browne said he did not see the need for Caricom intervention if what the US said was correct about the action taken on Tuesday.
“But if, on the other hand, this is a precursor to any military intervention, then we will certainly condemn any such military conflict that may arise,” Browne added.
“Any military conflict will result in unintended consequences for the entire Caribbean and that is why we have to continue calling for peace and unity, diplomacy and dialogue. Nobody should be offended by this call, as it’s an attempt to maintain the hemisphere as a zone of peace and tranquillity.”
He added, “The impact of any military conflict will have a disproportionate effect on the Caribbean countries that rank among the most vulnerable and least resilient in the world. That must be considered.
“My articulations are therefore in defence of national interest, regional interest and hemispheric interest; the interest of all. I consider myself an advocate for global peace, love, unity, truth and justice – including climate justice.”
The depth of Browne’s feelings on matters like war, climate change and other issues are conveyed in 10 songs he co-wrote with ChatGPT in the past two weeks. Browne’s released a debut album entitled Love is the Way, an inspirational gospel/reggae rhythm hybrid urging a harmonious society.
On Tuesday, Venezuela Communication and Information Minister Freddy Nanez dismissed the video of the deadly strike as “AI-created.”
But US President Donald Trump yesterday doubled down, defending the action. According to US media, Trump said “massive amounts of drugs” were found on the boat and bags of drugs were seen “all over” it. He said the US has “tapes of them” speaking.
Eleven people were killed in what Trump described as a “kinetic” strike on the pirogue-type vessel which was seen on video. A kinetic strike involves direct force, employing missiles, bombs or projectiles.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday claimed the drugs on the vessel were “likely headed to Trinidad or elsewhere in the Caribbean.”
It was the first known engagement following the US’ heavy military deployment in the region in its crackdown against drug cartels. T&T is part of an international coalition comprising Guyana, Ecuador, Paraguay and Argentina supporting the US-led effort.
Yesterday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said military operations against cartels would continue.
Regional leaders write to US
The region is as concerned about the US deployment.
Barbados Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds said Tuesday that Caricom foreign ministers wrote to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio seeking dialogue to ensure that any military operations do not extend to other Caribbean territories without notice and explanation.
Symmonds told “Barbados Today” that regional foreign ministers met last week and “settled” that a letter should be written. It was to have been sent out by now. He said it was drafted by chairman of the Conference of Foreign Ministers (St Kitts Foreign Affairs Minister) Dr Denzil Douglas.
Symmonds also commented on remarks by T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on the US military issue.
Guardian Media confirmed yesterday that Douglas, as chairman of the Conference of Foreign Ministers, will be signing the letter to the US.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers didn’t reply to questions yesterday on the regional development in response to the US action.
Meanwhile, Opposition People’s National Movement Senator Amery Browne also pointed to a US Department of Homeland Security report which showed how evidence is seized.
“The US Coast Guard is being successfully deployed in other operational zones against drug cartels. Please read the report carefully. This report details how evidence is seized and the drug runners are captured off Mexico and the busy western coastline of Central America,” he said.
“When a suspicious vessel refuses to stop when engaged, the engines are destroyed…bringing the vessel to a halt, and any human and drug cargo is removed and evidence gathered before the vessel itself is destroyed, based on the examples provided.”
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send ABDF go ahead send them man see what happens
India is buying oil from Russia, America vex, Indians in the Caribbean South are bowing to Trump violence! One says Kill all of them, and she has not seen the evidence.
The PM is right to call for peace, the Caribbean can’t afford to get dragged into conflicts we didn’t start
Ain’t shit you Gaston nor CARICOM gonna do except blow flatulent like a whale coming to the surface to exhale.
The US is gunning for Maduro like they did Gaddafi and Saddam.
Usa bin want Venezuela from since Chavez days we are friend to Venezuela so we must talk against their actions that’s all we can do ..we all know the want to control that black gold oil in the country and now theyaking their move fake news talking bout drug cartels and the gov to try to get rights from the masses to go in there same as Iraq …but all we can do as islands is talk against real talk
The U.S. will do what it wants regardless, but it’s important for our leaders to take a principled stance.
Well well well. See right where we are in our small islands and here comes the US causing conflicts in our region. We are not used to those sort of things nor do we need them in our region
I am glad to hear that the Hon Prime Minister is speaking out against the militarization of the Caribbean Sea. Caricom need a joint and unified approach towards this and not the drip drip pronouncements that we are seeing from individual countries. Regrettably Caricom seem to be hopelessly divided on the current US presence and action in the Caribbean with most countries silently whispering their disapproval for fear of angering Washington.
As much as I don’t want war to ever break out in this region the fact still remains there is nothing we can go when it comes to world powers and their arguments… All the armies of the Caribbean would still be no match…. They don’t even need an army they would jus drone strike our leaders leaving us in the state of Haiti….. Let’s jus hope and pray
Why doesn’t the Caribbean offer to send observers along on the strikes to improve transparency and cooperation?
Do any of the other Caribbean leaders speak out on this situation, other than the leader of Antigua and Barbuda? Ten thousand native-born Antiguans and Barbudans are living in America. Gassy/Top-Dog needs to be careful with his words when addressing this situation between the USA and Venezuela. We don’t want Mr Trump to start making it difficult for our native-born people living there—legally and illegally. PM Browne, I agree with your statement but please be careful with your words!!
The USA is the rogue country in the world doing what it wants when it wants where it wants. And only God can stop them. They also use the excuse of drugs to enter Panama and remove Noriega and put him in prison until his death. They told us Saddan Housien had weapons of mass distruction and invaded Iraq. They claim Gadaffie was thread to their national security and eliminated him as well. So we have seen it all already. It’s just a matter of time. They heavily put their tumb on the scale of the election in Guyana and yes their candidate Irfaan Ali won. In everyone of these wars, it’s all about OIL. He who controls the OIL controls the world. And theya re losing control of the Middle Eastern Oil. Saudi Arabia has dismateled the Petro Dollar. That was a big hit. And they have shown not to be a reliable ally lately. So with Trinidad having Oil, Guyana heaving oil and Surinam having oil, All this they control, and they want to get back control of the Venezualen oil. In my opinion they will be making a much bigger mistake than when they went into Iraq. Venezuelans will defend their country. Look at history of Simon Bolivar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sim%C3%B3n_Bol%C3%ADvar
These people are fughters. Not like us Caribbean people that would run away at the first shot of bombs on our lands. It will be long and costly. And would also remind them of Vietnam. And these are all the dirty games played by the CIA from ever since. Let us pray to God that non of these things come to past. We need peace in the region. Haiti is more then enough. And if you think the US doesn’t have its hands their also than you need a wake up call. Where do all the weapons come from to support the gangs. Gangs are untrained tugs. They cannot stad against a trained militarey force. Therefore there is more in the mortar then in the pistle. Look beneath the surface. What is Haiti rich off?
“Haiti is considered rich in potential resources like oil, gold, and unique extraterrestrial materials such as iridium. While actual extraction has been limited, scientific studies suggest the country possesses vast undiscovered oil reserves, with exploration rights already sold for gold deposits, and significant quantities of iridium, an element used in spacecraft construction. ”
Educate yourself. Don’t let them fool you, or even try to school you. You have a mind of your own, so go to hell if what you’re thinking is not right. Brother and Prophet Bob Marley
Does anyone believe that anybody in the white house is paying any attention to this pipsquak who is a friend of Maduro?
Antigua has always been close friends with Venezuela. 🇻🇪 so why has it taken our Prime Minister so long speak out against this unacceptable and unnecessary aggression from Trump?
Mind you, he’s come out a lot quicker about this than the growth in criminal activities here at home.
I’m a political animal and you can’t fool me PM.
@Brixtonian September 5, 2025 At 1:20 pm
Gaston hater. Have you ever listen to the Prime Minister’s speeches at the United Nation? If you did you would have heard him time and time make a call on the USA to stop its policy of aggression against Cuba and Venezuela. So why always try to find something to criticize the Prime Minister. Get a life the PM would say.