Prime Minister Gaston Browne has criticised what he described as reckless misinformation being circulated by opposition-aligned voices, warning that such claims could undermine Antigua and Barbuda’s visa-free travel arrangements with key international partners.

Speaking during the Browne and Browne radio show on Saturday, the Prime Minister took issue with social media comments made by a U.S.-based attorney involved in litigation surrounding the Alfa Nero superyacht. He said the attorney falsely suggested that Antiguans and Barbudans could lose visa-free access to certain countries due to alleged government corruption.

“Statements like these are not only baseless but dangerous,” Browne said. “They have the potential to create unnecessary alarm among our international partners and damage long-standing diplomatic relations.”

While citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are required to obtain visas for entry into the United States, they currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to several countries, including the United Kingdom and Schengen Zone nations.

Browne warned that spreading unfounded allegations—such as claims the country is involved in trading sanctioned Venezuelan oil or gold—could trigger knee-jerk reactions from international financial institutions or foreign governments.

“This is about more than politics,” the Prime Minister said. “It’s about safeguarding our country’s global reputation and protecting the ease of travel that many of our citizens rely on.”

He accused the opposition of promoting a “rule or ruin” approach and of siding with foreign actors to destabilise the country’s image on the world stage.