In a comprehensive address at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized the critical need for regional cooperation and adherence to international law in combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean. Browne highlighted the importance of legal frameworks and rules of engagement to minimize risks to life and respect sovereignty, particularly in light of recent lethal incidents off the coast of Venezuela. He expressed concern over the militarization of the region, including the deployment of a nuclear submarine by the United States, and urged that the hemisphere remain a zone of peace rather than a theater of military conflict. Browne also addressed the ongoing economic embargo against Cuba, calling for normalized relations and the removal of Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. He stressed the need for sustained international attention and support for Haiti, advocating for a unified, Haitian-led plan to address the country’s crisis. Additionally, Browne underscored the urgent need for global action on climate change, particularly for small island states, and called for fair financing mechanisms to support adaptation and resilience efforts. He concluded by advocating for the protection of marine ecosystems and a moratorium on seabed mining until its environmental impact is fully understood.
Antigua PM wants fight against drug trafficking in the Caribbean to be based on law and order
