PM Browne confirms WIOC official was questioned in U.S.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he confirmed that a senior West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) official was questioned by U.S. authorities during a recent trip to the United States, after reading a report published by UPP-aligned Real News Antigua and subsequently speaking with the official.

Speaking on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne Show on Saturday, Browne said he read the Real News report and then contacted WIOC Chief Executive Officer Gregory Georges to establish what had occurred.

“I saw the publication on Real News and I spoke to Gregory Georges,” Browne said.

He said Georges confirmed that he was detained and questioned by U.S. authorities and that his electronic devices were taken temporarily.

“He told me that he was questioned and that his laptop and phone were taken, but later returned to him,” Browne said.

Browne said the questioning appeared to be linked to ongoing international scrutiny involving Venezuela’s historical 25 percent shareholding in WIOC.

He noted that WIOC’s Venezuelan shareholding predated U.S. sanctions and said the company remained compliant after sanctions were imposed.

“There has been absolutely no violation whatsoever,” Browne said.

The prime minister said he addressed the matter publicly to confirm what had happened, after verifying the information directly.

“I’m just stating what the issues are as I know them,” he said.

Browne did not indicate that any action would be taken against the WIOC official, and said his remarks were intended to clarify the situation amid heightened international attention on Antigua and Barbuda and its state-owned entities.

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