PM Browne Says Criminal Migrants Will Be Deported As Police Probe Recent Violence

The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has drawn a hard line against transnational criminal activity, making clear that the twin-island nation will never serve as a safe haven for foreign nationals linked to serious violent offenses. His comments come on the heels of a string of high-profile violent incidents that have put public safety at the top of the national agenda, including a fatal shooting in the community of Swetes and an armed robbery at a service station along Buckleys Line. Browne noted that law enforcement agencies have recently flagged growing concerns over criminal involvement by a small subset of Jamaican nationals, but he was quick to clarify that these observations do not reflect negatively on the broader Jamaican community residing in Antigua and Barbuda. The prime minister emphasized that the government has a longstanding policy of welcoming and supporting citizens from across the CARICOM bloc, including granting citizenship and social support to eligible migrants. Law-abiding Jamaican residents and citizens, he confirmed, will continue to enjoy full state protection and all the rights afforded to people living in the country. For those who do engage in serious criminal activity, however, Browne warned that deportation will be a clear consequence. This zero-tolerance approach is not new, the prime minister added: authorities have already removed multiple foreign nationals suspected of criminal activity in recent operations, including citizens from Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines. One Jamaican national is already facing charges connected to the recent Buckleys Line service station robbery, he confirmed. Turning to the fatal shooting in Swetes, Browne shared that preliminary findings from law enforcement point to the killing being drug-related, though he acknowledged that investigations are still ongoing and details remain subject to change. Most importantly, the prime minister stressed that this strict enforcement policy applies equally to criminal offenders from every country around the world, with no exceptions made based on nationality or origin. The announcement marks a clear push by the Antigua and Barbuda government to curb cross-border crime and reassure residents that public safety remains a core priority.