Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a fervent call for the Caribbean to remain a ‘zone of peace,’ expressing deep concerns over the United States’ escalating military presence in the region. Speaking at the launch of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference (CHOGM), set for November 1-4, 2024, Browne warned that any conflict arising from this build-up would disproportionately affect small island states, particularly those in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). He highlighted the region’s vulnerability, noting that even basic necessities like fruits are imported from North America. Browne drew parallels to the economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, which caused prices in the Caribbean to surge by up to 10%, and cautioned that military action in the hemisphere would have far more severe consequences. He urged Caribbean nations to unite against any form of military intervention, emphasizing that the region should not be drawn into geopolitical disputes. Browne also condemned recent US airstrikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels in international waters, which have been criticized by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, for lacking evidence. The Prime Minister called for global peace, justice, and unity, reminding the world that humanity shares a common ancestry and that undermining any nation undermines all of humanity.
Antigua’s Gaston Browne reiterates call for Caribbean to be a zone of peace
