In a groundbreaking legal maneuver, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Antigua & Barbuda has officially launched a Declaration of Lawfare against the United States, stating that U.S. entities, both public and private, have coordinated efforts against the Caribbean nation. This historic declaration, spearheaded by legal representative Rudy Delarenta, cites a range of actions, including asset seizures and judicial misconduct, in what is described as a transnational racketeering operation disguised as legal proceedings.
Central to the controversy is the recent confiscation of the Alpha Nero yacht, implicated in a legal battle led by firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, which has targeted notable Antiguan figures including Prime Minister Gaston Browne and media entrepreneur Alkiviades "Alki" David. The declaration alleges a systemic effort by foreign entities to undermine the sovereignty of Antigua & Barbuda.
Delarenta emphasized the seriousness of this declaration, stating, "This is not merely protest. This is strategic resistance. This is the beginning of a global reckoning." The declaration encompasses multiple legal strategies, including RICO lawsuits in the U.S., private prosecutions in the U.K., and legal measures in the Caribbean aimed at confronting these alleged transgressions.
Antigua's government argues that the seizure of the Alpha Nero was lawful and justified, dismissing the related lawsuit by Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, who claims ties to a sanctioned Russian oligarch, as baseless. Officials stress that the yacht's seizure had been transparent and sanctioned by U.S. authorities.
In response to ongoing allegations of corruption, the Antiguan government maintains that all funds from the sale of the yacht were properly accounted for and that the lawsuit represents an attempt to extort significant financial compensation through unfounded claims. They also foresee potential diplomatic tensions with calls for a summit involving U.S. Presidents and the Antiguan Prime Minister to address what they see as a breakdown in international legal norms.
As the legal battle unfolds, Antiguan officials continue to call for transparency and due process, stressing their commitment to defending their nation's reputation in the face of these allegations. This declaration not only signals a potential escalation in legal challenges but also the depths to which international legal disputes can extend, shaping diplomatic relations in the process.
Central to the controversy is the recent confiscation of the Alpha Nero yacht, implicated in a legal battle led by firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, which has targeted notable Antiguan figures including Prime Minister Gaston Browne and media entrepreneur Alkiviades "Alki" David. The declaration alleges a systemic effort by foreign entities to undermine the sovereignty of Antigua & Barbuda.
Delarenta emphasized the seriousness of this declaration, stating, "This is not merely protest. This is strategic resistance. This is the beginning of a global reckoning." The declaration encompasses multiple legal strategies, including RICO lawsuits in the U.S., private prosecutions in the U.K., and legal measures in the Caribbean aimed at confronting these alleged transgressions.
Antigua's government argues that the seizure of the Alpha Nero was lawful and justified, dismissing the related lawsuit by Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, who claims ties to a sanctioned Russian oligarch, as baseless. Officials stress that the yacht's seizure had been transparent and sanctioned by U.S. authorities.
In response to ongoing allegations of corruption, the Antiguan government maintains that all funds from the sale of the yacht were properly accounted for and that the lawsuit represents an attempt to extort significant financial compensation through unfounded claims. They also foresee potential diplomatic tensions with calls for a summit involving U.S. Presidents and the Antiguan Prime Minister to address what they see as a breakdown in international legal norms.
As the legal battle unfolds, Antiguan officials continue to call for transparency and due process, stressing their commitment to defending their nation's reputation in the face of these allegations. This declaration not only signals a potential escalation in legal challenges but also the depths to which international legal disputes can extend, shaping diplomatic relations in the process.
