Interpol alert sparks backlash after former Trinidad PM Keith Rowley detained in Antigua
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley was briefly detained in Antigua and Barbuda during a stopover on his way to Montserrat, after local authorities flagged his name on an alleged Interpol watchlist, a claim now denied by Trinidad’s police force.
The startling incident, which unfolded at V.C. Bird International Airport, has ignited a wave of political controversy and triggered accusations of state-sanctioned defamation. Rowley, who stepped down from politics in May after nearly a decade at the helm, described the experience as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his international reputation.
Alleged international listing sparks outcry
On July 21, Rowley told reporters he was headed to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory’s 30th-anniversary commemoration when Antigua police detained and questioned him, allegedly citing an Interpol flag. The former prime minister, now a private citizen and consulting geologist, called the incident “state‑sponsored slander.”
“This was not an accident. This was a calculated move, one intended to humiliate me and discredit my legacy,” Rowley said during a press conference held at his residence.
According to the Jamaica Observer, Rowley was stopped at V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua during routine screening, where officers reportedly informed him that his name had triggered an Interpol alert. He was later released without charge and allowed to continue his journey to Montserrat.
He identified Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General John Jeremie, and Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro as officials who must “explain why my name was flagged.” Rowley added, “What crime or interest do I pose that justifies this?”
TTPS denies issuing Interpol request
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) responded swiftly, stating unequivocally that Rowley’s name is not listed on any Interpol watchlist. According to an official release, “No alerts, flags, or warrants are associated with his name in Interpol’s systems,” and the agency had not submitted any information to Interpol that would justify a listing.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) emphasized that Interpol notices follow strict protocol and require formal judicial documentation. It added that the Commissioner of Police cannot unilaterally list or delist individuals from Interpol’s database. Reaffirming its apolitical mandate, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) urged the public to ground discussions in “verified fact.”
Opposition figures voice concern over abuse of process
Rowley’s detention has sparked strong reactions across Trinidad’s political landscape. Legal analysts and opposition leaders argue the event, even if due to an error, supports Rowley’s claims of systemic defamation. The former prime minister’s abrupt return to public discourse has intensified scrutiny of how policing tools may be manipulated for political ends.
Rowley retired from politics on May 16 after the April 28 general election, which ushered in a new administration under Prime Minister Stuart Young. Though Keith Rowley intended to resume private geological work, the incident has thrust him back into political relevance.
Regionally damaging implications feared
Social media erupted with commentary following Rowley’s remarks, with many echoing concerns about democratic backsliding. One user posted, “If Rowley’s name was never on Interpol’s list, then someone must be held accountable. This isn’t just a ‘mix‑up’, it’s a violation of rights.”
Antigua and Barbuda’s government has not issued an official comment, and Interpol itself has yet to address the controversy. Without confirmation from Interpol, some regional analysts believe a national intelligence system, not Interpol, may have triggered the alert.
Legal experts warn that even an erroneous alert could expose Trinidad and Tobago’s institutions to reputational and legal consequences. Questions are mounting over whether international policing channels were misused or compromised by political actors.
Keith Rowley demands accountability, transparency
Rowley is formally requesting a public explanation from Persad-Bissessar, Jeremie, and Guevarro. “Let the people of this country know what you are accusing me of because I have done nothing wrong,” he said.
The TTPS has pledged to maintain transparency and provide updates. Meanwhile, calls are growing louder within Parliament for a full-scale investigation into the incident and the country’s mechanisms for engaging with Interpol.
The controversy underscores the importance of legal oversight, diplomatic protocol, and the protection of civil liberties in international policing frameworks. The coming days could prove pivotal in determining whether the incident was a procedural anomaly or the result of deliberate political sabotage.
Organized crime fears spread to Saint Lucia’s political corridors
Rowley’s allegations have also cast a wider shadow across the Caribbean, with renewed scrutiny on Saint Lucia’s own political elite. In recent months, mounting reports have linked elected officials, politically connected lawyers, and high-ranking operatives to the abuse of the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), facilitating illicit networks involving gun trafficking and narcotics.
Critics argue that public office in Saint Lucia is increasingly being weaponized to shield criminal syndicates and enable transnational crime. As regional law enforcement agencies enhance cooperation, there is a growing climate of fear among those believed to have used the machinery of government to launder passports, move contraband, and manipulate security agencies. Observers suggest that Rowley’s experience may be a prelude to more revelations, with pressure mounting for Saint Lucia’s Parliament to confront the rot festering within its highest ranks.
Rowley himself has also come under fire for controversial remarks made earlier this year regarding Saint Lucia’s opposition leader and crime response. That backlash is explored in Trinidad PM Keith Rowley criticized, which examines growing regional concerns about his leadership style and security cooperation failings.
Unitedpac St Lucia News will continue to follow this developing story.
