Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he was forced to directly address allegations that had reached the White House claiming he and members of his family were doing business with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing the claims as fabricated and politically motivated.
Speaking on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne Show on Saturday, Browne said he became aware of the allegation after sending correspondence intended for U.S. President Donald Trump through a senior intermediary.
“When I sent him (a contact in the White House) the letter, he called me back 10 minutes afterwards,” Browne said. “He said to me that there was information within the White House about me and my family members doing business with Maduro.”
Browne said he immediately issued a further written response to correct what he described as false claims.
“So I had to then write another correspondence that I sent to him to get to members of the White House to confirm that that is totally untrue, that it’s a fabrication,” he said.
The prime minister said the allegation stemmed from what he described as collusion between members of the political opposition in Antigua and Barbuda and U.S.-based attorneys connected to legal action over the sale of the Alfa Nero yacht.
He rejected suggestions that he or his family had engaged in illegal oil, gold, or other business dealings involving Venezuela.
“I don’t have any family members who trade directly or indirectly with Venezuela in gold, oil, in nothing,” Browne said. “Totally untrue.”
Browne said the claims were part of a broader effort to undermine him and damage the country’s international standing, noting that he has since instructed attorneys to pursue defamation action.
“All this is designed to defame, to undermine, not only me, but the country,” he said.
The prime minister said he has consistently acted to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s national interests and stressed that his remarks on Venezuela were focused on regional stability rather than support for any foreign leader.
“I’m defending Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean as a whole,” Browne said, adding that his concern has been the impact of regional instability on small, tourism-dependent states.
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Next time be careful with your words and your constant attack of the United States of America. I warned you about the way you speak against America but never ever against China, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korean when an issue arises with them and the US.
There will be an official investigation for any kind of corruption that ABLP and its members committed in FSRC, and all other dealings including with Venezuela, Cube, China, CIP, etcetera.
Don’t think the letter solved the problem. It just began. In the meantime, Antiguans and Barbudans will suffer. Sadly.
I knew somewhere along the line the Prime Minister would bring up the oppositions name. He’s so predictable. Why doesn’t Gaston Browne take responsibility for any of his poor decision making?
Can’t he deal with his own trials and tribulations without involving the UPP at all?
And remind me, didn’t the Prime Minister address the country about the need for UNITY in his New Years speech the other day?
Let me tell you, a week is a long time in politics
Mr brown, the united states have spy’s and other agents here in our little Antigua.. you lie no wa .. I know a story about someone that offered cheaper oil to WIOC AND you refused to give them the contract.. why? Maduro huh.. YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS GOT THE MOST SHARES in WIOC, let’s see how that works out now. remember Trump not going to trust you now, you had your chance, you can’t lie because they know everything, like they said they were following Maduro for months they knew what he ate, where the safe house was located his pets etc.. so let’s be real they know about the con moves, what about the cars not being investigated.. you think they don’t see that ..tic toc ..
Pure diversion. You think you smart? Face the music! After ruling for 11 years and 6 months ,still blaming the opposition for everything.
Pure diversion. You think you smart? Face the music! After ruling for 11 years and 6 months ,still blaming the opposition for everything. SMDH.
And Giselle can’t keep her mouth shut and just say we are observing the space, she is going to pick up Gaston bait and give him legitimacy as though it’s a UPP orchestration.
Spencer was the first to stretch out his hands to Chavez but then when Chavez passed and Maduro took office many world leaders including Antiguan government knew Maduro was not squeaky clean….So our PM is telling Mr. Trump I DID NOT KNOW HE WAS SUCH A BAD MAN….HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE DRUGS NO NO MR. TRUMP WE HAD NO IDEA I SWEAR…….
Friends of all and enemy of none
AWDRYT
Some would love to see our country sink if they’re not the captain God bless Antigua and Barbuda
One thing with gaston once you’re sinking he’s gonna come out swinging against you. There’s more to come badmouthing maduro
Facts…honestly I ain’t taking side. I speak what I know and I don’t know leave it out but we know the power that the president donald Trump have. In this game, we have to play as sheep among wolves. We should taking any side but be neutral and righteous in the sight of men. For nw on Prime Minister should start uniting the pple in Antigua. This might be the end of our future but if we change and come back to scripture. Then we may see difference. Law need to change, cannabis law needs to change and some others because generation here are distracted and these legal drugs are make things worse. We need to unite but laws needs to change and people too
Here we go again. The ugly twisting of truth to blame somebody else n make Him look good. Mr PM, there are ppl who read to understand not just listen n run with ur rhetoric. Come on, give the public something of substance pleeeaaasseee. As the PM of Trinidad says explain to the People of Antigua the real reason why America iput that proclamation on Antiguans with the visa process. That would be the real start n stop blaming the opposition for everything.
U have the country running down to the ground. Not no UPP. U were given thes mandate at d last election. Do ur job and stop the blame game. U r really good at getting diversion to every issue that needs grave attention. That is really not looking good on ur behalf at this time.talk the TRUTH to the nation. Let them have confidence in the words that U speak. This is a horrible deflection from U right now. Antiguans need more to satisfy their curiosity right now. We r actually demanding more but it’s always like this .
U asked for transparency with the public’s business n its a rage of personal attacks n cursing. That’s not how a real country’s democracy works r PM. That’s one of the reasons y we became the laughing stock of the world. U might not want to believe or acknowledge this, but it is.
I only have one passport n it’s a shame to use it at this time.
You people need to take a chill pill.The problem is that God forbid if UPP was in power they would have sold Antigua for oil and Gold.Donald Trump can’t even silence his own country, so why he want to shut us up.His time will be soon up and everything will reverse.Can’t wait.Antiguans unite and stay strong God is in the midst he’s in control..
Deny, deflect and blame others is the ablp motto.
@Shirley, Chill pill U say. Thus is just the beginning. Alot more there to weigh in on us I believe.
Truth is what we seek. Something we not getting at all.
Yes Trump will move, but He will try to push plenty in his term n that we might be able to stand.
For once Gaston is keeping his mouth shut. Very smart move, “Comrade”!
Good diplomatic move GB
PM I see you being smart for once
Most corrupt individuals aren’t foolish to do deals openly in their own names so Gaston can say what he wants. The trail of corruption will be traced and before long we’ll get the full picture of the Petro Caribe largesse. Who does Gaston think he’s fooling. The Venezuelan people couldn’t prevent the removal of Maduro so the Antiguan people are helpless in defending the Gaston. What about the “zone of peace ” Gaston? Now kiss the boots of the new boss of the Western hemisphere