标签： Antigua and Barbuda

In a striking geopolitical alert, former Jamaican ambassador Curtis Ward has issued a grave warning that Trinidad and Tobago has become a potential military target due to its unequivocal alignment with United States operations against Venezuela. The seasoned diplomat, who previously served as Jamaica’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, contends that the twin-island nation has dangerously elevated its status from security partner to active collaborator in Washington’s regime change strategy.

Ward’s analysis, published in a sharply critical December 26 commentary, asserts that the installation of a US military radar system at Piarco International Airport has effectively transformed vital civilian infrastructure into a legitimate military objective. Contrary to official claims of maritime monitoring purposes, Ward maintains the system functions as an integrated component of anti-missile warfare networks that would become a priority target for Venezuelan forces in any escalation.

The former ambassador particularly criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration for what he characterized as placing “a military target on the backs of the country and the people.” He projected that Trinidad and Tobago could suffer disproportionate casualties compared to American interests in potential conflict scenarios, with the nation’s economy and infrastructure facing existential threats.

Beyond the immediate national security concerns, Ward delivered a sweeping indictment of Caribbean leadership broadly, accusing regional governments of cowardice in confronting Washington’s policies. He noted a conspicuous absence of diplomatic opposition to US actions, suggesting most CARICOM leaders remain silent due to fears of retaliation from the Trump administration. This climate of apprehension, Ward argued, has compromised regional sovereignty and dignity while pushing the Caribbean basin toward destabilizing military confrontation.

Despite the alarming assessment, Ward emphasized that armed conflict remains avoidable. He called upon Caribbean citizens, governments, and the Trinidad and Tobago diaspora to advocate vigorously for peaceful dialogue and de-escalation, maintaining that “war is not the answer, war is not the only option, and war is not inevitable.”

The warning comes amid Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s public endorsement of US naval operations targeting drug trafficking vessels from Venezuela, which she claims have already yielded positive impacts on regional security.

Antiguan opposition leader Jamale Pringle was released from police custody without charges on December 26th following extensive questioning regarding damaged telecommunications infrastructure. The investigation centers on the destruction of utility pipes and materials belonging to the Antigua Public Utilities Authority at Morris Bay, Old Road, which authorities say disrupted critical preparatory work for an ongoing subsea cable project.

Pringle, who leads the political opposition, spent several hours at police headquarters where he fully cooperated with investigators according to his legal representatives. His attorneys emphasized that Pringle has not been accused of or charged with any offense related to the incident.

The opposition leader has characterized the investigation as politically motivated, suggesting the inquiry represents an attempt to undermine his position. During the afternoon questioning, supporters gathered outside the police station to demonstrate solidarity with Pringle and call for transparency and fairness in the investigation process.

Authorities confirmed Pringle’s release but did not disclose additional details about the ongoing investigation into the damaged telecommunications infrastructure. The incident has raised questions about the intersection of political rivalries and law enforcement in the Caribbean nation, though officials maintain the investigation is proceeding without political influence.

Antigua’s political landscape has ignited with controversy as the United Progressive Party rallies its base for public demonstrations following police interrogation of Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle. The escalating confrontation stems from an official summons issued to Pringle concerning the mysterious incineration of Antigua Public Utilities Authority materials at Old Road.

The opposition faction has launched vehement accusations against the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, asserting that Commissioner Atlee Rodney has succumbed to executive pressure from Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s administration. In an emotionally charged communiqué distributed to supporters, the party framed the police action as a blatant instrument of political victimization rather than legitimate law enforcement procedure.

Central to the brewing storm is the party’s firm declaration that Pringle maintains zero connection to the Old Road incident, citing absence of incriminating evidence. The summons has been characterized as systematic persecution targeting government critics, prompting the opposition to designate their planned mass mobilization as ‘Freedom Day’—a dramatic demonstration against alleged politicization of law enforcement institutions.

While opposition supporters prepare for organized protests demanding cessation of what they term intimidation tactics, law enforcement authorities maintain procedural silence regarding the allegations. Official sources previously emphasized that investigative summonses represent standard practice rather than criminal accusations, though this clarification has failed to mollify political tensions.

The underlying incident—the destructive fire consuming APUA materials related to ongoing infrastructure projects—remains under active investigation with no charges filed. This development occurs against a backdrop of heightened political sensitivities, highlighting the delicate balance between law enforcement autonomy and political influence in the Caribbean nation’s democracy.

Antiguan authorities have formally requested Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle to present himself for police interrogation at 10 a.m. on Boxing Day as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the deliberate destruction of telecommunications infrastructure belonging to the Antigua Public Utilities Authority. The incident occurred at Morris Bay in Old Road, where critical equipment associated with preparatory activities for an undersea cable project was vandalized.

Law enforcement officials have clarified that this summons for questioning does not constitute an arrest at this juncture. The timing of this development has raised constitutional considerations, as Antigua and Barbuda’s legal framework mandates that any detained individual must be brought before a judicial authority within 48 hours, excluding Sundays and public holidays. Given that Boxing Day is officially recognized as a public holiday followed immediately by a weekend, any potential detention could extend through the remainder of the week into the following week.

Pringle, who serves as the parliamentary representative for All Saints East and St. Luke, has characterized the police action as fundamentally politically motivated. The United Progressive Party, which he represents, has issued strong criticisms of the investigation process, cautioning that such actions risk exacerbating existing political divisions and potentially eroding public trust in law enforcement institutions if perceived as partisan maneuvers rather than impartial judicial proceedings.