标签： Antigua and Barbuda

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.

In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, the United States has revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro following his controversial remarks at a pro-Palestinian rally outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Petro, a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, urged American soldiers to defy President Donald Trump’s orders and instead follow the ‘orders of humanity.’ His call for a global force to ‘free Palestine’ and his accusations of U.S. complicity in genocide in Gaza have further strained already fragile relations between Washington and Bogota. The U.S. State Department condemned Petro’s statements as ‘reckless and incendiary,’ prompting the visa revocation. Petro, who was in New York to address the UN General Assembly, criticized the decision as a violation of diplomatic immunity and international law. This incident marks the latest chapter in a tumultuous year for U.S.-Colombia relations, which have been marred by disputes over migration, drug trafficking, and military cooperation. Petro’s departure from the U.S. was reportedly underway when the State Department announced its decision. The Colombian leader also used his UN platform to call for criminal investigations into U.S. military strikes on suspected drug traffickers in South American waters. The revocation of Petro’s visa underscores the deepening rift between the two nations, once close allies in regional security efforts.

In a powerful address at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized that reparations for slavery and colonial exploitation should be viewed as a matter of justice rather than charity. Browne urged wealthy nations to recognize their historical role in centuries of exploitation and to engage in reparatory justice as a moral obligation.

Browne stated, ‘Reparatory justice is not charity. It is principled restitution for wealth extracted, for unpaid labor, barbaric killings, and physical abuse endured by our forebears.’ He clarified that small states are not seeking handouts but fairness, equity, and financial systems that account for risk.

The Prime Minister linked the reparations agenda to broader issues of structural inequality, highlighting how colonialism and slavery have perpetuated underdevelopment in Caribbean economies. He called for international partners to approach the reparations agenda ‘in good faith’ as part of building a more equitable global economy.

Browne’s speech resonated with longstanding demands from Caribbean leaders, particularly through the CARICOM Reparations Commission, which has consistently pushed for negotiations with former colonial powers. By bringing this issue to the UN General Assembly, Browne elevated the call for justice and dignity for small states and their people on a global diplomatic stage.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a stark warning against the increasing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, emphasizing the region’s need to remain a “zone of peace.” Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, Browne expressed deep concern over the deployment of U.S. military assets, including a nuclear submarine, which he argued could signal the potential for military conflict. “While we are committed to collaborating with all partners to combat trafficking, the buildup of military forces raises alarming questions about the region’s stability,” Browne stated. He reiterated that the hemisphere should be respected as a peaceful area, not a stage for military confrontation. The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid a significant escalation of U.S. forces in the southern Caribbean, with at least seven surface warships and a fast-attack submarine deployed as part of a Trump administration-led crackdown on “narco-terrorist” cartels. This buildup has sparked regional tensions, particularly following a controversial U.S. operation in early September that targeted a Venezuelan vessel allegedly carrying narcotics, resulting in 11 deaths. Venezuela responded by deploying F-16 jets near a U.S. destroyer, escalating an already volatile situation. Analysts suggest that the U.S. military presence may extend beyond counter-drug efforts, potentially serving as a strategic show of force against Venezuela’s government. Regional leaders have voiced concerns that such actions could destabilize smaller Caribbean nations caught in the crossfire. Browne’s call for peace reflects a broader Caribbean stance advocating for cooperation and non-militarization in hemispheric security. His speech also highlighted pressing global issues such as climate change, international financing, and the rule of law, underscoring the interconnectedness of regional and global challenges.