Prime Minister **Gaston Browne** has dismissed speculation that the United States requested to establish a military base or deploy military assets in Antigua and Barbuda, reaffirming his government’s commitment to peace and neutrality.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Browne said **no such request** had been made by Washington.
Later in the debate Prime Minister **Gaston Browne** again has dismissed speculation that the United States requested to establish a military base or deploy military assets in Antigua and Barbuda, reaffirming his government’s commitment to peace and neutrality.
“There has been no request from the United States to establish a military base in Antigua and Barbuda,” Browne told lawmakers. “And even if such a request were made, our answer would be no.”
The Prime Minister said Antigua and Barbuda remains focused on maintaining **regional stability and independence** in its foreign policy, rejecting any notion that the twin-island state would align itself militarily with any global power.
“We have absolutely no interest in hosting any form of military assets in our country,” Browne said. “We are happy to remain a peaceful nation without military bases.”
His comments came amid regional discussions about defense cooperation with the United States following reports that **Grenada** was reviewing a U.S. proposal to install a **radar system** at the **Maurice Bishop International Airport**.
The visit of **U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)** commander **Admiral Alvin Holsey** to the Eastern Caribbean earlier this week also fueled questions about possible American security initiatives in the region. Admiral Holsey met with Prime Ministers Browne and **Dickon Mitchell** of Grenada to discuss disaster preparedness, regional security partnerships, and maritime domain awareness.
Browne made clear that Antigua and Barbuda welcomes **civil and humanitarian cooperation** with the United States—particularly in areas like disaster relief, maritime safety, and law enforcement—but not **military basing or armament agreements**.
“Our engagement must always be about peace, development, and the safety of our people,” Browne said. “We are not in the business of hosting military operations for any country.”
