By NAN News Editor

News Americas, PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, July 21, 2025: A routine stopover turned into a diplomatic firestorm Monday after Trinidad and Tobago’s former Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, revealed that he had been briefly detained and flagged by immigration officials in Antigua and Barbuda last week, allegedly due to his name appearing on an INTERPOL watch list.

FLASHBACK – Then Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley (C) takes part in a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Jefferson Room of the State Department in Washington, DC on January 29, 2024. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The incident, which occurred while Rowley was en route to Montserrat for the 30th anniversary of the island’s Volcano Observatory, has ignited political controversy in Port of Spain, with Rowley denouncing the situation as a “deliberate, calculated attempt to tarnish my name on an international stage.”

Rowley, 75, who stepped down from office in April after nearly a decade at the helm, claimed the incident was rooted in political persecution orchestrated by state entities in his home country.

“This is not just a mistake,” he told reporters at a Monday press briefing. “It is state-sponsored slander.”

Immigration officials in Antigua confirmed that Rowley was momentarily held for questioning due to an alert triggered by INTERPOL systems. He was later released without further incident. According to Rowley, the officer involved cited “mistaken identity” related to another individual being sought by Antiguan police.

But the former leader is unconvinced.

“I find it strange,” he said. “INTERPOL doesn’t casually flag a former head of state. Someone put my name there – and that someone is likely from Trinidad and Tobago.”

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) swiftly denied the claim. In a detailed statement, the agency said its INTERPOL Bureau found no record of Rowley being listed or flagged in any international criminal database. “No alerts, flags, or warrants are associated with his name,” the TTPS said, adding that it had never submitted any such request to INTERPOL.

Still, the damage – at least politically – may already be done.

The opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), which Rowley once led, demanded “immediate and full disclosure” from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the national police commissioner, and the attorney general.

“This development raises troubling questions about political weaponization of international law enforcement mechanisms,” the party said in a statement. “If this can happen to a former Prime Minister, what safeguards exist for ordinary citizens?”

Rowley, who led the country through multiple crises including the COVID-19 pandemic and major energy reforms, is widely respected across the region. His detention has prompted concern among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, who fear a precedent that could undermine diplomatic mobility for current and former officials.

“This isn’t just about me,” Rowley said. “It’s about democratic norms and the abuse of power. Trinidad and Tobago must reckon with this moment.”

While the TTPS emphasized that INTERPOL cannot be manipulated by domestic politics—requiring judicial or prosecutorial oversight for any listing – Rowley insists that someone within the state apparatus abused the system.

“The protocols may be there,” he said, “but so are people willing to violate them.”

As the controversy unfolds, the TTPS has pledged continued transparency. But critics warn that the mere appearance of political interference – even if unsubstantiated – erodes public trust in both local law enforcement and international cooperation.

For now, Rowley is back in Trinidad, uncharged and unflagged. But he’s not letting the issue go.

“I’ve dedicated my life to public service,” he said. “And I will not allow my legacy – or our democracy – to be undermined by cowardice or corruption.”

NEWS AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. July 21, 2025: Jamaican-born immigrant advocate, Irwine Clare, Sr. OD, the esteemed founder of Team Jamaica Bickle, is set to be honored with the prestigious Visionary Award at NBA star Jalen Brunson’s 3rd Annual Charity Golf Classic on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York.

Jamaican-born immigrant advocate, Irwine Clare, Sr. OD, the esteemed founder of Team Jamaica Bickle.

Presented by the Second Round Foundation, the Visionary Award recognizes individuals whose lifelong work has transformed communities and inspired generations. Founded by Brunson, who is of Jamaican heritage, the foundation is committed to empowering youth through education, sports, and mentorship. Its annual Charity Golf Classic and gala support scholarships, community development, and philanthropic honors.

Clare is being recognized for his extraordinary and unwavering dedication to the development of Caribbean student-athletes, particularly in the sport of Track & Field.

“The Second Round Foundation is proud to bestow this great honor to Mr. Clare, a true visionary for his leadership, sacrifice and dedication to young athletes in Jamaica and the Caribbean at large,” said Nija Ali Williams, CEO, Second Round Foundation. “Mr. Clare’s legacy represents the very essence of SRF’s mission to provide equity and access for young people who are striving to become the best version of themselves. For more than thirty years, Mr. Clare’s unwavering commitment to student-athletes through his work at Team Jamaica Bickle has garnered tremendous success and the harvest will continue for decades to come.”

Clare, who also serves as the co-founder and managing director of the Caribbean Immigrant Services, Inc. (CIS), has spent decades mobilizing and empowering the Caribbean Diaspora. Under his leadership since 1995, CIS has helped thousands of Caribbean nationals obtain U.S. citizenship and voting rights. He also previously served on the advisory board of the Jamaican Diaspora USA (Northeast) and was conferred with the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica in 2012 for his “invaluable contribution to Jamaicans in the Diaspora.”

Through Team Jamaica Bickle, Clare has supported thousands of athletes from across the Caribbean, providing essential resources including accommodation, meals, and medical support – especially during the annual Penn Relays in Pennsylvania. Since its founding nearly 31 years ago, the organization has raised over US$5 million in support of athletes and sports programs in Jamaica.

Beyond his nonprofit work, Clare is a well-known advocate and media voice, hosting Caribbean Lifestyle TV, co-hosting The Fact of the Matter radio show on 93.5 FM, and serving as a Director on the Caribbean World News Network. His leadership has extended across numerous civic and advocacy groups, including the Jamaica Progressive League, the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations, and the NAACP.

The Visionary Award will be presented during a special gala celebration that brings together community leaders, sports legends, and supporters from around the globe to honor changemakers like Clare.

About Team Jamaica Bickle

Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization that provides hospitality services for Caribbean athletes participating in the Penn Relays and other major competitions. Since its founding, TJB has grown into a major support system for Caribbean athletics. Support the organization at https://www.teamjamaicabickle.org/