Following the announcement on social media of Antigua and Barbuda’s PM, Gaston Browne, threatening legal action against local bloggers, The Times Caribbean and St. Kitts Nevis Times, have issued a retraction and an apology to Antigua’s PM. The claims were related to his government’s sale of the Alfa Nero Mega Yacht. The Alfa Nero, a luxury mega yacht linked to Russian Billionaire Andrey Guryev was seized by Antigua and Barbuda in 2022 due to United States sanctions. Following a transparent sale process in July 2024, which saw the vessel sold for USD $40 million.

Then, in response to Times Caribbean story titled “MILLIONS MISSING? ANTIGUA’S PRIME MINISTER FACES HEAT OVER MEGAYACHT SALE MYSTERY”, PM Browne said via his Facebook page on Thursday “I have asked my attorneys to determine if this article is defamatory. If so, St. Kitts Nevis Times and others, regionally and internationally, will get their opportunity in court to prove that millions are missing from the Alfa Nero sale and precisely who benefited.”

Times Caribbean said via their Facebook page on Thursday, they “wish to issue a retraction regarding the article published on March 12^th, 2025, titled “MILLIONS MISSING? ANTIGUA’S PRIME MINISTER FACES HEAT OVER MEGAYACHT SALE MYSTERY.” The article, which was based on information provided by the Associated Press, inaccurately represented details surrounding the ongoing court case related to the sale of the Alfa Nero yacht.”

They added “we apologize for any harm or misrepresentation this may have caused and want to emphasize that our intention was to accurately reflect the news as presented by the Associated Press. We have now updated our coverage to ensure it aligns more closely with the verified details of the case.”

The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party said in light of this, the party “urge citizens to be vigilant and reject the propaganda disseminated by these anonymous platforms.