Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has announced that the nation will not immediately join the newly established CARICOM agreement on full free movement. Browne emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda has long been a leader in facilitating regional migration, making formal accession unnecessary at this time. Speaking on the ‘Browne and Browne Show’ on Pointe FM, Browne highlighted the country’s decades-long practice of granting amnesties to Caribbean nationals, allowing them to settle, work, and integrate freely into society. He described Antigua as the ‘gold standard’ for free movement in the Caribbean, citing studies that show over half of intra-CARICOM migration in the past decade has been directed toward Antigua. Browne noted that nearly half of Antigua and Barbuda’s population consists of CARICOM nationals or their descendants, underscoring the country’s deep commitment to regional unity. However, he expressed concerns about the potential social challenges of formalizing free movement without safeguards. Browne explained that Antigua has requested a derogation from CARICOM to maintain control over migration rates, ensuring responsible management of the country’s large Caribbean diaspora. While reaffirming support for the spirit of free movement, Browne stated that Antigua and Barbuda may join the formal agreement in the future but will continue to prioritize managed migration for now. He concluded by asserting that Antigua’s track record of openness and regularization of migrants demonstrates a stronger commitment to regional integration than any formal declaration.
NOT YET! Antigua and Barbuda PM says NO to Full CARICOM Free Movement, for now
