ANTIGUA, FEARING THAT EUROPE WILL SOON ABOLISH VISA-FREE ENTRY, SEEKS HELP FROM THE WRONG CROWD

The Government of Antigua & Barbuda, speaking through Prime Minister Gaston Browne,  has openly expressed fear and loathing over the Europe's scheduled 2025 date, after which Citizenship by Investment (CIP/CBI) passports sold to foreign nationals will no longer be valid for visa-entry to the Member countries of the European Union. Antigua has not only grown to rely upon the funds received during that lucrative programme, but government officials have been the covert recipients of bribes and kickbacks paid out by unsuitable CIP applicants, to ensure their approval,  notwithstanding their fugitive or transnational white-collar criminal, status.

To make matters even worse, Antigua is relying upon assistance, in delaying or stopping any European action, but depending upon the devil himself, the CBI consultancies that are in large part responsible for bringing in applicants who are corrupt Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) or career criminals. One individual whom Antigua is reportedly relying upon to keep the EU from killing the"Golden Goose," visa- free entry into Europe is actually the Ambassador to Russia from another CBI East Caribbean State, dominica, and lived in Russia for two decades. Given the recent actions by the US, Canada and the EU, using someone with close ties to Russia, in today's Russian sanctions environment, is that really a clever move ?

Other international CBI consultancies, all of whom also sold Antigua passports to Russian nationals, are  certainly not going to be the proper entities to plead Antigua's case before the European Commission. what is PM Browne, in his desperation, thinking ? Do not ally your country with entities that have poisoned the EC CBI industry by bringing in white-collar criminals as applicants, especially if they are Russian oligarchs and their affiliates. Antigua may become insolvent, and unable to pay those lucrative salaries to its government officials and their political supporters. The Gravy Train will soon be making an unannounced stop, and everybody will be unceremoniously thrown off. Happy Landings, Gaston.