Antigua PM Denies Local Origin of Information on Rowley’s Immigration Incident

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne stated that the information prompting immigration inquiries into former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley did not originate from Antigua. Speaking to the Caribbean Media Corporation, Browne emphasized that immigration officials handled the situation with respect, treating Rowley no differently than any other traveler. Rowley, who recently stepped down from politics, reported being stopped on July 14 at VC Bird International Airport during a stopover while heading to Montserrat, due to being flagged by the International Criminal Police Organisation. Browne clarified that Rowley was not detained but was subjected to further inquiries based on information that was not sourced from Antigua. Rowley condemned the incident as a political attack, alleging that it was part of a malicious campaign to damage his reputation internationally, labeling it as state-sponsored slander.