Prime Minister: Concert Incident Not Political, Gun Violence Will Be Confronted
The following is a statement from Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne:
I have been deeply concerned by the shooting incident that occurred in the early hours of this morning in the vicinity of a public concert organised by the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.
I note the statement issued by the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda confirming that this incident is not politically motivated and is not connected to the event itself. That clarification is important, and the public should take careful note of it.
What occurred was an act of criminal violence, rooted in illegal guns and ongoing disputes, which intruded upon a public gathering. It has no place in our society.
I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the use of illegal firearms, gang activity, and any form of violence that endangers innocent lives and undermines the peace and stability of our nation. Those responsible must be identified, apprehended, and brought before the courts.
The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Government has acted decisively to confront this threat. We have strengthened the law, increased penalties for the illegal possession and use of firearms, and intensified efforts to disrupt the importation and circulation of illegal weapons. These measures were taken because gun violence poses a grave threat to public safety, national stability, and the peace of our communities.
Let there be no misunderstanding: there can be no excuse for criminal violence. The use of illegal guns, the pursuit of gang conflict, and the willingness to endanger innocent lives are choices. They will be met with firm and decisive consequences.
In our 2026 Manifesto, The Renaissance: A New Era for Antigua and Barbuda, we have set out a clear and uncompromising commitment. On pages 74 and 75, we pledge that there will be no tolerance for murder, gang violence, or the spread of illegal firearms. We will further strengthen the law, ensure that it is fully enforced, and impose severe penalties on those who traffic in illegal weapons or engage in violent crime.
This is not rhetoric. It is a firm commitment to action.
The safety of the people of Antigua and Barbuda is paramount. My Government will intensify its efforts, in full cooperation with law enforcement and the community, to stamp out this menace and to ensure that our country remains safe and secure for all.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Dear Prime Minister,
I write to you with a heavy heart, as Antigua and Barbuda stands at a critical juncture. We are witnessing a surge in crime, a rising cost of living, and a community on edge. Your government claims that the United Progressive Party cannot manage this nation, citing the rise in crime—but what we see is a deeper failure of leadership.
The investment program has been a double-edged sword—enriching a few by selling passports, while crime infiltrates our streets. Just the other day, a man was caught with a gun and a silencer after an amnesty meant to disarm the public—and he was given just three years, later reduced to one and a half. This is a grave insult to public safety. And just two weeks ago, we lost two young lives—taken too soon—and last night, four more were shot. Despite all this, there have never been proper gun raids—only drug busts. Who is bringing these guns in? Who is supplying our youth with such deadly tools?
We are watching a government that, rather than addressing this crisis, calls a snap election to stave off the inevitable. They know, in just a few months, the situation will spiral beyond control. As I’ve said before, our cricket fields are denied to young people, controlled by a select few. They have no outlets, no safe spaces to grow. We don’t need just words; we need action. We need a change in government, a change in the violence, and a future that puts people first.
So, I say to you, Prime Minister—make Antigua great again. Enough is enough. We need a government that stands with the people, not one that exploits them. The time for change is now.
Neither the Police or Gaston know the reason behind the gun violence yet, but they both have come to a conclusion as to what wasn’t the cause. WHAT A SET OF PEOPLE. ME MUMA! Only people with clothes pon line, look out fu rain
Gun violence has reached an unacceptable level, placing innocent bystanders at serious risk. A zero-tolerance approach is urgently needed, particularly in light of last night’s incident, which also exposed a significant breach in the security of our leadership
UPP morons say this only happens in Antigua and nowhere else in the eastern Caribbean… Open your eyes dumbasses, this is happening on every island both big and small.
@GASSY NOT SO CLASSY .. PINOCCHIO BROWN” . You only have a few more days of your repetitive UPP paid propaganda nonsense that only a handful of people are actually seeing but wisely, not believing. You have wasted your time with your amateur disinformation campaign.
Animosity, division and detestation has been the order of the day in the lead-up to next weeks General Election. Our politicians, instead of promoting harmony, instead they’ve created disharmony and disunity in Antigua.
And as a result chaos is now in abundance.
We now have Antiguans against Antiguans because of their political affiliations; and I’m not suggesting that this gun incident is/was political for one minute, but the atmosphere currently in the country has been very tense and very troubling.
Prime Minister Browne needs to tone down his divisive rhetoric against those who disagree with him and show a lot more respect in general.
And may I remind the PM not to speculate until all the facts are known about this shooting. After all, we were also warned not to do so after a recent high profile murder recently.
START SPREADING LOVE NOT HATE…
THERE SHOULD BE A MAXIMUM SENTENCING OF NO LESS THAN 10 YEARS FOR ILLEGAL GUN CRIMES.I THOUGHT GASTON BROWNE HAD CONTROL OVER THOSE THUGS.WHO ARE BRINGING ALL OF THOSE ILLEGAL GUNS INTO ANTIGUA? HOW THE HELL ARE THEY GETTING THROUGH THE PORTS UNDETECTED? SOMETHING IS SMELLING FISHY.
I somewhat agree that the PM and the police might have spoken too quickly. However, I think he did it to cool down the atmosphere. Gaston Browne is a real political genius. He knows how to touch negative in the opposition and get them railed up. He creates discord within the opposition and commands his PM’s , his candidates and supporters almost in a dictatorship fashion. The difference why ABLP will come out on top is that they do not put out their differences in the public. They handle discord behind closed doors.
While for the past three years after coming so close to gain the leadership of this country. Instead of uniting , build on the momentum , it was all infighting and tearing down. The UPP tore into their chairwoman, and followed Gaston and the APLP to create a monster picture of her. D.Gisele Isaac is only person in the opposition that can intellectually, academically and with eloquence stand up and challenge the entire ABLP. any day , on any subject without a script. That is why I believe she should have taken the political leadership of that party, long time ago. Hey I heard the leader of DNA is in All Saints West campaigning for Anthony Smith again Lovell. Another past UPP hierarchy that turned political prostitute. No loyalty. No integrity.
We can easily end up with a single Pringle again. The few seats that are in play for UPP are All Saints East and somewhat West. Anthony Smith has a home base in Sea View Farm and if things get close they could be the difference. Shugy , Richard Lewis , Jonathan Joseph are the possible seats the UPP can win. Any other will be a shocker.
When you have candidates of the ABLP, allowing people know in their communities and antigua as con men and of the underworld making videos and they are appearing in the same video along side these characters,what do you expect? In their desperation for votes ,they go as low as possible. Bird of a feather ,flock together!
But Gaston you tell the youths them responsible for disposing of their hot firearms, don’t bring that to the police, but in any case we want a UPP administration take care of the crime situation, you and cutie only go cry and prostrate when Caucasian people get kill, an example of how you all treat Chantel murder for the Spanish votes, you all had town hall meeting with the Spanish and let go one of the complicit Spanish person associated with Chantel murder.
UPP will put cameras and give the police the freedom to function instead of the political control you and cutie and powerful rich Caucasian have the police and ondcp kernel croft under.
UPP
Am tired of people coming on here crying every time a crime takes place, especially those living in the US, asking what’s happening in my once peaceful island? People Antigua is no different from any other island or country in the world, Ghettos are Ghettos where ever one roams.
The innocence of gangs, guns, drugs, unemployment, youths on the corners smoking weed daily, fear of intimidation in your community, having to dress, and look a certain way to fit in, parents, family, and neighbors see and knows what’s going on, but remain silent, young girls trapped in dating, because of wanting worldly treasures, which often leads to another young pregnancy, is all part of living in Ghettos across the world.
Police patrol and presence are great, but things will remain the same. In the US some of these same bloggers lives in these Projects and Ghettos or scared to even drive through.
We often come on here and chastise our JA brothers and sisters, but at the same time these are the same people and culture our youths grow up imulating. We speak of churches, but the churches today are now imitating the churches of the US, plus without strong church going parents, church means nothing to these young people. Political parties and police may want us to believe they are interested in solving these crime, especially pertaining to drugs and guns, but if one investigate deeply one may find some heavy involvement, so for ever this will continue. They have two in custody so that’s good work.
The ABLP has been in power for 12 YEARS..but their pathetic promises to fix our critical problems are always in the future. What has this joke of a Government been doing in 12 years…apart from lining their pockets..enriching themselves while our problems get worse!!! MR. Gaston Browne, your incompetent administration cannot solve the problem of gun violence or any of the critical problems we face and it is time for you and your gang to be voted out!!!
@ proud ANTIGUAN… ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WE WILL SEE YOU DONT HAVE ANY IDEA WHO IM REACHING… THATS THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR GOVERNMENT THEY WANT TO KEEP THE PEOPLE IGNORANT… GASSY NOT SO CLASSY” PINOCCHIO BROWN BY FRIDAY HE WONT BE AROUND “EARLY OUT” 🪼🪼…
You have also cause future instability in the island by calling a snap election out of nowhere. Have you also looked at that and take some responsibility as well?
Your snap election breath chaos, not stability.
Anyone that’s on the outside would think that. They would look at Antigua, and ask why?
So take some responsibility in your foolish and selfish decisions GB. Smdh.
@Carvaa…
@Proud Antiguan🚩
Just a few #realities of life, as the #HUEman world turns…
A…the #ghetto is a state of mind, not a state of being!
It ain’t where you’re at, it’s what you do with what you got.
B…criminal behavior(s) by HUEmans are driven by many motives which are not germane to specific geographical locations; however, management of criminality will always be guided by the times and spaces where crime occurs.
C…the management of crimes for the most part are dictated by experiences in dealing with criminal behavior.
Charity begins at home, and the Ancients spoke about, “wet U house once uour neighbor’s is on fire.”
@Carvaa…many of Americas (ghetto crimes) or any other are rooted in the HALLS, businesses, boardrooms, clubs, fraternal orders which molds society. Do some research on the Gangs of New York after the mad rush from Europe to America through Ellis Island etc.
Then step into the saddles of the original #cow_boys, the freed slaves being hunted by Possees and get a better whiff of how some American Community’s became what they became by #DESIGN!
@Proud Antiguan🚩
You’re god damn skippy, that guns, bombs and weapons of wars are prevalent and exist in all cultures, and have been this way for centuries – a friendly reminder, Horacio Nelson and the other EUROPEAN TERRORISTS were not short on weapons to carry out their motives for their crimes, as the opportunity’s presented themselves.
Fast forward to these day, of the Gregorian time period, the motives for many of the crimes happening in Antigua (charity begins at home, I can’t worry about, Memphis, Baltimore, Kingston or any other crime ridden region before I clean or protect my BACKYARD); again, the MOTIVES for many of the crimes which involve the use of FIREARMS or other weapons like cutlass, knives, etc are based upon GREED.
GREED is a very personal emotion and the reasons vary and for some to acquire what they are envious of others for – regardless, of how they acquired [theirs], once the opportunity arise, the perpetrator(s) will act or even create their own opportunity. In either case, in the REALITY of today’s HUEmab thought process(es), fu or many BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY is their driving force.
Yes guns are everywhere, but not everyone use the gun for the same reason or in the same way. It’s no different that using a knife, an ax, a pick ax, a shovel. It’s the MINDSET.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Foot
#Garrate_Bastard
Vere Edwards
Until u put in law 25 minimum any one caught importing guns into the country if it’s reduce the person get caught it should be on the basis that u give the police info on were guns are u will serve the 25 years nothing them 3years it’s a joke business 25 years no less all the comments in Japan if u are caught with a loaded guns life no parole no reduction guns are not made in antigua so the hebiar sentence is for importation and if u caught in antigua minimum 10year full 10 years no reduction only if u give the police info on other guns
Comments are closed.