[UPDATED] Sobers: Trinidad and Tobago has strong ties with Antigua

MINISTER of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers on May 10 challenged statements made in a Newsday editorial dated May 7, which he says suggest he may have interfered in the internal affairs of Antigua and Barbuda following the disappearance of 21-year-old Trinidadian Thomas Vasquez.

His statement came just hours after Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne posted a strongly worded statement on Facebook the same day, criticising Sobers for comments regarding the disappearance of Vasquez.

“Let us be unequivocally clear: at no point did Minister Sobers instruct any action that would constitute interference in the internal affairs of Antigua and Barbuda,” the ministry’s statement read.

The release added, in keeping with his duty to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, Sobers had directed ministry officials to engage with their counterparts on the island to obtain accurate and timely information regarding Vasquez’s welfare.

“Such engagement is both standard diplomatic practice and a reflection of the government’s unwavering commitment to the safety, dignity, and rights of all our citizens abroad. This government has discharged its responsibilities with professionalism, prudence, and firmness.”

It further stressed the alleged statement attributed to Sobers, which it says has been deemed inappropriate, “still needs to be identified for clarity on this issue”.

The release said both islands share strong, respectful, and enduring ties built on principles of mutual respect and Caribbean solidarity.

“We continue to work constructively with our counterparts and thank them for their co-operation thus far. We expect all communication will remain in the bounds of respectful diplomacy.”

The statement concluded by affirming Sobers will stand firm, act decisively, and represent the people of Trinidad and Tobago with honour and strength.

Browne in his earlier post criticised Sobers over his remarks concerning Vasquez’s disappearance, though he did not quote Sobers or directly point to the comments in question.

He wrote, “You have no moral authority to condemn our beautiful country. Instead, you should focus on the exponential increase in crime in your home country.”

His post was accompanied by link to Newsday May 7 editorial titled Antigua’s Anguish, where Sobers is mentioned once and reads, “In one of his first official acts, he has instructed civil servants to seek vital updates.”

Browne accused what he described as “deracinated opposition elements” of collaborating with a foreign national to malign Antigua and Barbuda. “These opposition elements have joined with a foreigner to condemn our beautiful twin-island state,” he said.

Browne also referenced Trinidad and Tobago’s crime statistics, claiming: “With more than 500 individuals reported missing annually in Trinidad and Tobago and hundreds still unaccounted for, while we sincerely hope the missing Trinidadian young man is safe, there is no evidence to suggest that he went missing in Antigua.”

According to 2024 data from the Crime and Problem Analysis (CAPA) branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), 559 people have been reported missing for that year, with 149 still unaccounted for.

Of Vasquez’s travel history, Browne said, “Vasquez previously entered Antigua by plane and left clandestinely by boat, ostensibly peddling marijuana from an illegal farm where he was employed.”

He concluded by acknowledging the pain of Vasquez’s family while stressing the need for transparency: “We sympathise and empathise with his grieving mother and trust he will be found alive. However, the facts must be stated. I stand always on the ugly truth, without fear of consequences.”

Former minister of foreign and Caricom affairs Dr Amery Browne responded to the Antigua PM’s comments in a social media post, saying, “Relations with our Caricom neighbours must be managed with wisdom and diplomacy at all times... It sometimes looks easy, but it seldom is, and there are potential implications for trade and regional solidarity that should never be taken for granted. I wish the best possible outcome in this case.”

In a May 5 phone interview with Newsday, Sobers said he had “immediately instructed staff” to contact officials in Antigua and Barbuda for updates on the investigation into Vasquez’s disappearance.

“I made an enquiry. Prior to today, no attempt was made by the Ministry to reach out to the Antiguan government,” Sobers said. He also noted that the ministry would liaise with Vasquez’s family and had requested records from the immigration division regarding Vasquez’s travel history.

“We have already sent out correspondence. I have been following the case closely, so I took the opportunity to immediately see how we can assist the family,” Sobers added.

According to reports, Vasquez visited Trinidad on April 6, departed on April 14, and was last seen on April 15.

This story was originally published with the title "Antigua and Barbuda PM knocks Sobers' comments on missing Trini" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne issued a strongly worded Facebook post on May 10, criticising Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, Sean Sobers, over recent comments regarding the disappearance of a Trinidadian national.

In his post, Browne wrote, “You have no moral authority to condemn our beautiful country. Instead, you should focus on the exponential increase in crime in your home country.”

His remarks came in response to a Newsday editorial titled Antigua’s Anguish published on May 7, which stated, "Mr Sobers, in one of his first official acts, has instructed civil servants to seek vital updates."

Browne accused what he described as "deracinated opposition elements" of collaborating with a foreign national to malign Antigua and Barbuda, saying: “These opposition elements have joined with a foreigner to condemn our beautiful twin-island state.”

Continuing, Browne highlighted supposed TT crime statistics: “Sobers, with more than 500 individuals reported missing annually in Trinidad & Tobago and hundreds still unaccounted for—while we sincerely hope the missing Trinidadian young man is safe, there is no evidence to suggest that he went missing in Antigua.”

Browne further alleged the missing man, Vasquez, has a history of suspicious travel: “Vasquez has previously entered Antigua by plane and left clandestinely by boat, ostensibly peddling marijuana from an illegal farm where he was employed.”

He concluded his post by acknowledging the pain of Vasquez’s family but emphasised the need for candour: “We sympathise and empathise with his grieving mother and trust he will be found alive. However, the facts must be stated. I stand always on the ugly truth, without fear of consequences.”

Former minister of Foreign and Caricom Affiars Dr Amery Browne, in a social media post responding to the Antigua PM comments, said, "Relations with our Caricom neighbours must be managed with wisdom and diplomacy at all times...it sometimes looks easy by it seldom is, and there are potential implications for trade and regional solidarity that should never be taken for granted. I wish the best possible outcome in this case."

In a May 5 interview with Newsday, Sobers stated that he had “immediately instructed staff” to contact officials in Antigua and Barbuda for updates on the investigation into Vasquez’s disappearance.

“I made an enquiry. Prior to today, no attempt was made by the ministry to reach out to the Antiguan government.”

Sobers said the ministry would liaise with Vasquez’s family and had requested records from the immigration division regarding Vasquez’s travel history.

"We have already sent out correspondence. I have been following the case closely, so I took the opportunity to immediately see how we can assist the family.”

According to reports, Vasquez visited Trinidad on April 6, departed on April 14, and was last seen on April 15.

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information is confirmed.