分类： Politics

Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program Under Fire Amid Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Regulatory Failure

EU Reportedly Weighing Suspension of Visa-Free Access as the UK Has Already Taken Action

Dominica — New allegations of illegal financing, excessive agent commissions, and a lack of regulatory enforcement have once again placed Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program under international scrutiny. The controversy is drawing concern from investment migration experts and appears to have caught the attention of European policymakers.

At the center of the storm is Globe Visa, a major Chinese immigration agency previously blacklisted by the Dominican government for undercutting official pricing standards. Despite its prior expulsion, the firm has mysteriously resumed operations—this time offering rebates of up to $70,000 in China and as much as $100,000 in other regions on CBI-related donations. Industry insiders say such figures raise serious red flags about the legality and sustainability of these incentives.

Observers fear the rebates far exceed any plausible legal margin, prompting speculation about the possible use of illicit financial channels, the misuse of public funds, or fraudulent declarations. The absence of any meaningful government response has only deepened these concerns.

*The English text in the picture is translated by AI

“These practices simply don’t add up unless someone is bending the rules—or being allowed to bend them,” said one CBI industry expert who requested anonymity.

Equally alarming is the Dominican government’s apparent unwillingness to act. Despite Globe Visa’s prior violations, the company was quietly removed from the blacklist and has resumed aggressive marketing tactics without consequence. This pattern of regulatory leniency—if not outright complicity—has led some observers to accuse the government of neglecting its duty to uphold the integrity of the program.

International backlash is mounting. In Brussels, EU officials are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Dominica is now being discussed as a potential candidate for suspension of its Schengen visa-waiver privileges if credible evidence of systemic abuse surfaces. This development comes amid broader EU efforts to clamp down on CBI programs that pose risks to European security and governance standards.

The controversy follows the United Kingdom’s 2023 decision to revoke visa-free access for Dominican citizens, citing concerns over identity verification gaps, weak due diligence, and the potential misuse of CBI passports. That move severely impacted the value proposition of Dominican citizenship and may signal further action by Western nations.

This is not the first time Dominica’s CBI program has faced international criticism. Both the EU and the OECD have previously called for greater transparency and oversight across such programs, warning of vulnerabilities to money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. While several Caribbean nations have made strides toward reform, Dominica appears to be backsliding—making it a likely first target in the next wave of international enforcement.

“This isn’t just a challenge for the industry—it’s a governance crisis,” said a regional analyst. “Dominica could soon find itself paying a steep diplomatic price.”

As pressure mounts, the Dominican government has yet to issue a formal response regarding Globe Visa or the broader concerns about program oversight. For now, the silence is not only deafening—it could prove dangerously costly for the nation’s international standing.

Deeper international cooperation and the elevation of mental health on the global development agenda emerged as key outcomes from a series of high-level bilateral meetings held by Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain.

Prime Minister Browne began the day with a major bilateral meeting with H.E. Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund for International Development. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between the OPEC Fund and the Debt Sustainability Support Service (DSSS), a SIDS-led mechanism to address debt vulnerability and unlock development finance.

In advocating for greater OPEC Fund involvement with Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Prime Minister Browne emphasized the importance of coordinated financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building: “The OPEC Fund has the reach and resources to make a transformative impact in SIDS—this is the moment to act,” he said.

The Prime Minister also met with Dr. Amit Prothi, Director General of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Their conversation focused on enhancing regional collaboration and data-driven planning to strengthen infrastructure resilience across SIDS.

A key highlight was the proposal for CDRI’s support in developing the SIDS Data Hub, to be housed at the SIDS Centre of Excellence. This hub aims to provide real-time, actionable data to improve climate adaptation and infrastructure planning across vulnerable island states. “We cannot manage what we cannot measure—reliable data is the bedrock of resilience,” Prime Minister Browne noted.

Later, Prime Minister Browne held a follow-up meeting with Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), to advance discussions initiated during the recent 55th OAS General Assembly held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.

The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to implementing a landmark OAS resolution that places mental health at the center of the hemispheric health agenda. The resolution includes:

• The creation of a regional mental health partnership to expand access to services and scale up community-based initiatives.
• Formation of an Inter-American working group to draft a regional action plan aligned with PAHO strategies.
• Consideration of a regional mental health fund to support high-impact initiatives across the Americas.

Dr. Barbosa described the resolution as a “groundbreaking achievement,” stating: “We must recognize the fundamental role that mental health plays in strengthening human capital, economic sustainability, and social well-being and growth.”

Prime Minister Browne, who played a pivotal role in getting mental health on the OAS agenda, praised PAHO for integrating mental health into primary care systems through routine screenings and workforce training: “No longer can the world and its leaders neglect mental health. The time for action is now,” he affirmed.

The meeting also reinforced the strong partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and PAHO, particularly in addressing the mental health needs of SIDS in the context of climate shocks and economic pressures.

As the second day of FfD4 concluded, Prime Minister Browne continued to demonstrate Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership among SIDS by driving forward a practical, development-focused agenda. His engagements reflect a commitment to securing measurable outcomes in financing, climate data systems, and public health—ensuring the voices and needs of vulnerable nations remain at the forefront of global discussions. (Ends)

CBS News parent Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to resolve an extraordinary lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” news report last fall.

The long-gestating and highly controversial settlement payment was announced by Paramount late Tuesday night.

Paramount said the $16 million sum “includes plaintiffs’ fees and costs,” and will not be paid to Trump directly, but instead will be allocated to Trump’s future presidential library — mirroring a settlement agreement that Disney’s ABC struck with Trump last December.

“The settlement does not include a statement of apology or regret,” Paramount specified.

The announcement also said that “in the future, ‘60 Minutes’ will release transcripts of interviews with eligible U.S. presidential candidates after such interviews have aired, subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns.”

Legal experts maintained that Trump’s suit was frivolous and that CBS was on solid ground to fight and win the case in court.

But corporate priorities trumped journalistic principles. Paramount has been trying for months to complete a lucrative merger with Skydance Media, and the deal requires approval from the Trump administration, in part because CBS owns local stations that are licensed by the government.

Residents of McPond, All Saints, are witnessing significant road upgrades not seen in over 30 years.

The infrastructural improvements form part of an ongoing national effort to rehabilitate roads across Antigua and Barbuda.

“We are demonstrating once again that we prioritise our people,” said community spokesperson Lamin Newton. “What has not been done in the last three decades is now becoming a reality.”

Mr Newton commended the Ministry of Works, led by Minister Maria Vanessa Browne, for what he described as a clear commitment to delivering results.

“We have no doubt that Minister Browne and her team understood the assignment. We will continue until every single road is paved — every single one,” he added.

The road works in McPond are part of wider infrastructural upgrades being carried out in several communities across the island.

The Ministry of Works has yet to confirm a completion date but says it remains committed to improving road conditions nationwide.

The following statement is issued by the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles in his capacity as Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission.

There has been much media reporting in the last week referencing a Caribbean group visiting Britain and the European Union with a reparations agenda; statements to the effect that these individuals, comprising a few from the Caribbean but mostly Europeans, will engage in reparations conversations with political officials and civil society groups.

As a consequence, the Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC) has received several requests for interviews and comments, necessitating a statement to clarify the situation for the betterment of all concerned.

These persons who have arrived in Europe are neither members of the CRC nor formally affiliated.

For over a decade, the CRC has been actively promoting reparatory justice campaigns on a global basis and has adopted an open-tent policy approach to facilitate broad-based advocacy. Through mutual agreements and formal Memoranda of Understanding, the CRC has partnered with many organisations, including universities, churches, families and financial institutions.

The CRC has recently received approval from the Caricom Heads of Government to inaugurate a European public relations campaign to share its vision of reparations with political stakeholders and the general public. It is actively working on the design of the same. Supporting the historic grassroots movement with government support, the CRC is deeply mindful of its complex diplomatic role and public responsibility in shaping the regional and global movement.

Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Hon. Jamale Pringle, has issued a fresh appeal for public engagement and government accountability, as he prepares to convene a critical meeting of the PAC on Thursday, July 3.

Speaking in a televised address, Pringle reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and democratic oversight, stressing the importance of citizen participation in safeguarding public finances.

“As Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the PAC, I will be there, ready to work on your behalf,” Pringle said, urging citizens to attend the session and observe proceedings from the public gallery.

The PAC is tasked with scrutinising government expenditure and ensuring value for money in public projects. However, Pringle highlighted persistent challenges in convening meetings and ensuring meaningful oversight.

He raised fresh concerns about what he described as the government’s continued resistance to scrutiny, questioning why Finance Minister Gaston Browne’s administration would avoid oversight if there was “nothing to hide.”

Pringle pointed to several unresolved matters he believes merit urgent investigation by the PAC, including:

• The Friars Hill Road property transaction
• The financial health of the Social Security Board
• Funding and progress of the Blue Ocean dredging project
• The alleged $27 million car park development
• Irregularities in the National Housing Scheme
• Accountability of statutory boards

“These examples highlight a pattern of self-dealing, secrecy, and a lack of accountability in how public projects and funds are managed,” he said. “Demanding accountability is not a witch hunt or a game of politics. It is about protecting your interest, your investment, your sacrifice.”

The Opposition Leader also sought to clarify the powers of the PAC under parliamentary rules, noting that while formal decisions require a quorum, discussions can still be held in the presence of attending members. He described the PAC as “a vital check on executive power” and warned that continued obstruction undermines the integrity of public life.

Despite recent obstacles, Pringle vowed to press ahead, calling the July 3 meeting an opportunity for the government to demonstrate a willingness to be held accountable.

“I sincerely hope and expect that every Committee member will be there, ready to be accountable,” he said.

The government has not responded to the latest remarks.

A Senior Counsel has described a recent appeal in the Alfa Nero matter as having “no chance of success,” after a US federal judge previously quashed subpoenas targeting the Antiguan leader, his relatives, and senior government officials.

Yulia Gyryeva-Motlokhov, linked to Russian interests in the superyacht Alfa Nero, filed the appeal after the US court rejected efforts to compel testimony from the Antiguan side.

Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan confirmed the appeal had been received and would be reviewed by the team shortly.

“I immediately asked Mr. Paul Riker, the US attorney handling the matter, for his professional opinion on the appeal’s prospects,” Astaphan said. “His response was clear: they don’t have a chance of winning that matter at all. The judge’s ruling on the subpoenas was crystal clear.”

Astaphan characterized the ongoing legal actions as part of a politically motivated campaign aimed at discrediting Prime Minister Browne and the Antiguan government. “This is just another part of the campaign to seek to discredit the government and the prime minister in relation to the Alfa Nero,” he added.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Gaston Browne, delivered a compelling and urgent address at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), forcefully advocating for systemic change in the global financial architecture to ensure justice and survival for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Speaking at the General Debate, Prime Minister Browne underscored the persistent economic and social vulnerabilities of SIDS and the global community’s failure to deliver meaningful reform over the past three decades.

“Without fundamental reform of the global financial architecture, SIDS will remain trapped in a vicious cycle of costly borrowings, escalating debt, and rising vulnerability,” he asserted.

The Prime Minister expressed disappointment in the tepid outcomes of the Conference, criticizing the soft language and lack of ambition in its declaration. He warned that repetitive appeals without action reflect “global inertia, benign neglect, and perhaps most likely, disrespect.”

Prime Minister Browne also highlighted the bold initiatives developed by SIDS themselves, particularly through the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), which was adopted at the SIDS4 Conference in 2024. He emphasized the establishment of the Debt Sustainability Support Service (DSSS)—a SIDS-led mechanism designed to Create fiscal space, Reduce financial risk, and Unlock critical investment.

He described the DSSS as a practical tool grounded in the lived realities of island states, and not a substitute for international institutions but a necessary enhancement to ensure inclusive development.

“Lip service cannot build resilience. Platitudes cannot fund preparedness,” Prime Minister Browne said. “We now urge this Conference to explicitly support the operationalization of the DSSS.”

In a stark critique of the existing financial order, the Prime Minister highlighted how SIDS are routinely penalized for their climate vulnerability and investment in resilience, which perversely leads to lower credit ratings.

He cited a DSSS-commissioned study showing that properly valuing resilience could increase SIDS’ credit ratings by 35% and reverse economic contraction. He also noted that SIDS have paid over $10 billion more than the original value of their debt due to currency depreciation—more than the combined annual education and health budgets of all SIDS.

“We borrowed for socio-economic development and to repair damaged infrastructure, incurring penalties we never agreed to,” he stated. “This is one of the great economic failures of our time.”

Prime Minister Browne also issued a clear and actionable call to the global community:

1. Establish and support the DSSS with transparent governance.
2. Engage the private sector, development banks, and philanthropic partners in supporting SIDS through capital and innovation.
3. Institutionalize the SIDS Centre of Excellence, as recommended in the FfD4 outcome.
4. Adopt the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) across all major platforms including the UN, Bretton Woods institutions, OECD, and the Paris Club.

Rejecting any notion of charity, Prime Minister Browne closed with a strong message of solidarity and shared responsibility:

“We seek not sympathy but solidarity; not pity but partnership; not charity but change.”

He concluded with a challenge to all development partners to “walk with us, stand with us, reform with us,” warning that failure to act would not only betray SIDS but humanity at large.

The Antigua and Barbuda Chapter of Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) has issued a call to action for increased female participation in politics, marking the International Day of Parliamentarism with a strong message of gratitude, urgency, and empowerment.

In a statement released on June 30, CIWiL Chair Marian Hesse-Merchant praised the women who have answered the call to public service, highlighting their role in shaping policy, strengthening democracy, and demonstrating the essence of leadership.

“Today, we extend heartfelt gratitude to the women who have courageously stepped into the chambers of Parliament with conviction, clarity, and purpose,” the message reads. “We honour their service and thank them for demonstrating what leadership truly means.”

However, the organization warned that women remain underrepresented in key decision-making spaces, despite making up more than half of the population. CIWiL cautioned that this imbalance limits the nation’s ability to harness its full potential.

“When the perspectives, experiences, and solutions that women bring are underrepresented, we govern with only half our wisdom, half our creativity, and half our potential,” the statement said.

The message appealed directly to women across all walks of life—from educators and entrepreneurs to mothers and community leaders—encouraging them to take on leadership roles and contribute to national progress.

“The challenges we face are too complex, too urgent, and too important to address without your full participation,” Hesse-Merchant urged. “Let this Parliamentarian Day be more than a celebration of our progress—it is a powerful call to action for the future.”

CIWiL’s remarks come amid ongoing regional and global discussions about gender equity in governance and leadership. The statement concluded with a rallying call for women in Antigua and Barbuda to harness their voices and commit to shaping the future through public service.

The Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, met with Mr. Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact, and Government Relations Officer at Global Citizen, during a high-level bilateral engagement on the margins of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain.

The meeting reinforced the strong and growing partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and Global Citizen, focusing on expanding collaboration across critical global development and advocacy priorities.

Discussions centered on several joint initiatives, including the potential hosting of a global event dedicated to world peace.

Both leaders recognized the urgent need for international platforms that foster unity, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Prime Minister Browne also highlighted the SIDS Center of Excellence, an Antigua and Barbuda-led initiative, as a key area for partnership. He welcomed the opportunity to leverage Global Citizen’s extensive platform to enhance visibility, mobilize investment, and build capacity across Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The bilateral dialogue included forward-looking conversations on youth empowerment and education. Prime Minister Browne and Mr. Sheldrick explored pathways for Antigua and Barbuda to benefit from the FIFA Education Fund, established by Global Citizen in collaboration with the FIFA World Cup, to advance equitable access to education and support youth development across vulnerable communities.

Prime Minister Browne reaffirmed his government’s commitment to sustained collaboration with Global Citizen and confirmed his continued advocacy role at the upcoming Global Citizen Festival in September. The Prime Minister also indicated that the possibility exist for him to potentially participate in Global Citizen’s strategic events in Singapore later this year.

On the pressing issue of climate finance, both parties agreed to intensify cooperation around innovative and scalable financing mechanisms. This includes a joint exploration of solidarity levies and other creative funding solutions to support climate-vulnerable nations.

Prime Minister Browne emphasized the critical importance of multilateral engagement, civic activism, and public-private partnerships in addressing the world’s most urgent challenges.

He reiterated Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to working closely with Global Citizen to drive measurable impact for both people and the planet.