The European Union (EU) is raising concerns over Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs in the Caribbean and has proposed changes that will make it easier to suspend the visas of people who bought passports from countries that sell citizenship to foreigners.
The EU also issued a report on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, which for the first time gave a glimpse of the magnitude of the CBI programs in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. It said to date, 88,000 passports have been sold by these five countries with Dominica selling 34,500 which, according to reports, is four times more than what the government of Dominica has reported.
The EU’s announcement to overhaul the regulations concerning visa-free travel to its borders follows the recent publication of an investigation done by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and a number of international media houses which placed Dominica’s CBI program under the microscope. The report from that investigation is entitled “Dominica: Passports of the Caribbean.”
According to an EU Commission report to the EU Parliament, visa-free travel brings significant benefits to the European body and its partners around the world.
“It makes travel more convenient and is an important tool to promote people-to-people contacts, tourism, economic development, and cultural exchange. The EU currently has a visa-free regime in place with 60 third countries,” the Commission’s report said. “Under this regime, nationals from these countries can enter the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.”
It said such a regime benefits citizens from both sides with the number of travellers between the EU and visa-free non-EU countries being 364.8-million in 2019 – a rise of seven percent as compared to 2018.
But the Commission pointed out that investor citizenship schemes, such as those operated by Dominica and other Caribbean countries, which offers visa-free access to the EU “can result in risks or threats to the public policy or internal security of the Member States, including those related to infiltration of organized crime, money-laundering, tax evasion and corruption.”
The Commission is now proposing a strengthening of its visa suspension mechanism which was first established in the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018. That mechanism, Regulation (EU) 2018/18068, was set up as a safeguard against the abuse of visa-free travel.
“This mechanism enables the temporary suspension of the visa exemption in case of a sudden and substantial increase in irregular migration or security risks,” the Commission’s report said. “However, with increasing challenges resulting from irregular migration, and threats to the security of the EU, it became clear that this mechanism needed to be further strengthened and improved.”
Among the improvement being proposed to the EU parliament is the power to suspend visa exemption for countries that sell citizenship to people who do not have a “genuine link” to the country.
Dominica’s CBI program does not make it a requirement for buyers of passports to be have a home on the island or even visit the country.
“The EU should have the possibility to suspend the visa exemption for a third country that chooses to operate an investor citizenship scheme whereby citizenship is granted without any genuine link to the third country concerned in exchange for pre-determined payments or investments,” the EU Commission stated.
It expressed concerns that CBI programs sell and advertise “golden passports” solely for the “purpose of allowing visa-free travel to the Union to third-country nationals that would otherwise be visa required.”
“While the Union respects the right of sovereign countries to decide on their own naturalisation procedures, visa-free access to the Union should not be used as a tool for leveraging individual investment in return for citizenship,” the Commission said.
Another concern expressed by the Commission is that Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and Dominica all offer successful applicants “the possibility to change identity after having obtained citizenship by investment.”
“We have countries within the visa-free regime with the EU that are selling passports/citizenships quite cheaply to people that are security risks or potential security risks to the EU,” EU home affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson said last week when the report was released. “They are sometimes allowed to change their names and identity several times after getting the new citizenship, and of course this is also security risks for the EU that we have to look into.”
Johansson raised concerns that CBI programs are being used for migration, telling reporters that 150,000 people had used the visa-free travel arrangements to get into the EU and then claim asylum.
“This is of course, not how the visa-free traveling should be used,” she said.
The report was also concerned over the low rate of rejection for passports by Dominica and St Kitts saying it was “extremely low (between 3% and 6%), which, together with the short processing times (as little as two months in some cases), raises questions as regards the thoroughness of the security screening.”
Concerns were also raised since the majority of passports sales were made to citizens from countries that have high levels of perceived corruption, including China and Russia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Nigeria and Libya.
“Visa-free access to the EU should not be used as a commercial commodity to be sold and bought,” the report said.
This is not the first time CBI programs have come under scrutiny by European countries. In July this year, the UK suspended visa-free travel for people holding Dominican passports.
Back then Foreign Minister, Dr Vince Henderson, described the UK move as a “major blow” to Dominica’s CBI program but Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, said while it was “unfortunate” it will not cause permanent harm.
Later in July, the EU laid down a number of stringent rules which it said must be adopted by countries with CBI programs. Robust due diligence, mandatory interviews, the enhancement of security measures, and increase in investment thresholds were some of the measures CBI countries must develop, the EU had mandated.
It is unclear at this point how much of an impact the new visa suspension rules being proposed by the EU Commission will have on Caribbean CBI programs. However, after the UK suspended Dominica’s visa free access, the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines warned that the EU hammer will soon be coming down on these programs.
More info on the EU Commission’s report and proposed changes to the EU’s visa suspension mechanism can be found in the links below.
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-10/Regulation%20proposal%20revision%20of%20the%20visa%20suspension%20mechanism_en.pdf
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-10/Sixth%20report%20under%20the%20visa%20suspension%20mechanism_en.pdf
Skerrit, this isn’t just going away. Toooo many questions that need answering. Where are you hiding? Are you with your son spending some of our CBI money in an exotic location abroad? You have gone to far this time!
I have posted it before,mass murders and terrorists crimes are not committed by persons carrying Dominican passports,not one.Robert Card who murdered 22 people in Maine last night is an American.This is for IBO,the most stupid human being to be born of woman,the decision for the EU to impose visas on the small islands has been prosponed to 2025.That is a blow to the UWP acolytes.Every honest Dominican know the decision to impose visas on small islands was made by the UK and USA,supported by crooks and traitors like Ibo,Francisco,Juanita and Truth be told.MEME and Jonathan are two educated people,being led like a lamb to the slaughter by a handful of uneducated UWP scumbags.Last night in Maine was a clear example of terrorism,22 killed in America by an American citizen.In the history of the CBI not one crime has been committed in America or the UK by a foreigner holding a CBI passport.Shame on UWP crooks and traitors.
@Point, You just seem to love to wallow in the mud of the past. FYI St Lucia is currently selling bananas to England. This means that despite the rulling of the WTO back then, access to the UK market for bananas is still available. Skerritt decided, foolishly, that in his “next level” vision for Dominica, agriculture didn’t have a place so he abandoned giving prominence and much assistance to the sector. The “I’m-the-people” leader decided, and the country lost out, as he turned to focusing on selling our birthright and hotel construction. Since 2017 and hurricane Maria, take coconuts as an example along with bananas, two crops which went well together, serious support is only now being given in the country. What’s the occupancy rate for the hotel construction love affair?. Leaders take accolades when things go right but don’t accept responsibility when their decisions go belly-up. Whose the leader of Dominica, Point? I’ll let you answer this one to yourself.
Jonathan, you asked the question “where is your evidence that the EU is trying to kill the CBI program” and here is my response.
Go back to DNO, March 14th, 2022 and read the article captioned” PM Skerrit among Caribbean Leaders advised to take EU threat of ending CBI seriously”. Do you know what ending means? No more, finished, dead. Do you understand that? A small excerpt from the article reads “The EU parliament voted to ask the commission to formulate a strategy to eventually request CBI programs be phased out in Dominica and all other countries offering citizenship by investment”. What more proof do you want, brother?
Jonathan, I know their kind and you should as well seeing that you reside overseas. These are some devious individuals who don’t want to see any type of serious progress happening in those islands.
I’ll repeat my statement one more time, the EU/US would rather we remain as beggars coming to them from time to time seeking crumbs.
I hope you now…
Why has the political directorate gone silent on such an international news release about Dominica’s CBI programme calamity?
Why has the Opposition Forces also gone silent on the same, leaving it all to the UWP to educate the masses and help to clean up Dominica’s mess? They were all at it during the last general Election, backstabbing the UWP, coming out in their droves as Independent Candidates, setting up new Political Parties, etc, etc, etc. Now, something of such international magnitude tarnishing Dominica’s good image and they’ve all gone silent on the subject matter. Well, they’re truly bought….. bunches of wolf in sheep’s clothing, I always warn against such individuals who play a duplicitous role.
Very good question. Could the reason be, that we haven’t got an opposition? Or more to the point, on paper only!!!
If someone shows up at any airport or port carrying a Dominican passport that does not say place of birth Dominica the passport should not be honored. All passports issued for the last 20 years under the king should not be honored if they do not say place of birth Dominica. How is it that a Taliban in Afghanistan is carrying a Dominican passport and has never been to Dominica and does not know where the island is even located?
I heard that while you were searching for the parrots you got broke and sold yours in Afghanistan. Please correct me if I am wrong. How much did they pay you cause you got mouth.
You just said it. ‘In some passport selling countries a prospective buyer has to visit the country during the process of purchase. In Dominica that is not a requirement”.
It is not a requirement in all countries. Dominica along with some other nations decided it is not necessary to visit so what’s your point?
And you are ok with that decision? Who made that decision? Don’t say the government of Dominica. We all know how the ‘government of Dominica’ works by now. It’s a one man band and all the rest is just a sorry pappy show.
“What?? You are a wanted man”? “No problem. For $350,000,00 US I will make you a Diplomat.” A diplomat? “Yes”! You know what is a diplomat? No sir. Ok, I will make you a diplomat and you can travel to the Moon and no one will ask you any questions. Deal was made with $50,000.00 US tip.
Roosevelt, Boy! Where’s our money? We want our money, Boy! If you don’t take a jail for theft then no body in Dominica should go to jail for stealing. All these houses you gave people for free will be changed into rental apartments because they do not have the deeds to these homes. These houses belong to the Dominican people and not to the labor government. For those of you who are living Free in these houses get ready to start paying affordable rent. Dominica is a poor country and cannot afford to give Free houses in order to cement Roosevelt rule for life. If Roosevelt was a man with a little bit of conscience he would have resigned a long time ago. But he thinks he is “king.” Well, this passport fraud is not going away until Roosevelt is taken by the US. We know that the chief of police 👮♀️ is a boy whose spine hasn’t developed. So he can’t do or say a darn thing. We need to see the opposition step up and organize a demonstration with or without permit. Police chief is also Rich.
Bro, why don’t you go find Trump and put him in jail, before you come talking that trash on DNO?
Wow! I see you change your name! But how many names have you? Stop ducking and go and ask your pm to give us a live update on the main issue facing us in Dominica which is the passport fraudulent dealings. Is trump the pm of Dominica? I didn’t know that. He too is facing jail time. Must be a black and white trump. One is a president and the other a prime minister. It’s like Ebony and Ivory.
@Quebec CA, is your name Quebec CA? How many names do you have? You just another hypocrite. why don’t you investigate the number of golden passports and visas sold by these European countries for as much as 1million euro a piece.
@point stay with the name point, that’s better. Don’t get too heated. Tell me, Sis, what’s wrong with the citizens of Dominica wanting to know about what concerns them? In this case it’s the passport allegations. A press conference may clear things up! Keeping people in the darkness to wonder around only makes it more suspicious. Anyway, get back to work and don’t waste time on dno.
So, because the Europeans may have done it, we should prosecute them first? Before we deal with our own criminals? Seems like you are deflecting from the issue to say face on behalf of your thieving government officials and their so called friends. Thats like i catch you stealing in my house and you saying but John and Jackie does vorleh from people too, why i doesnt go behind them. But feller i caught YOU, in MY house. So i need to deal with you and only you. I dont know about any European passport.
Yea, while he at is….why he doe go and put Putin in Jail, he dere talking about Skerrit. Stupes.
It is not your money your sold your citizenship for a bowl of soup. What’s the difference. Trudeau have your money so back off.
Where is the coward hiding today? Still no word about the CBI! There we have it, guilty as charged.
In St. Kitts, they actually give some of the proceeds of their CBI program to the citizens. This has happened twice already. Yet, in Dominica we boast about our program being the best, but not one ordinary Dominican (i not talking about SKerrit friends and agents) has ever seen a single dollar from CBI much less to touch it.
@If I knew, the Hospital at marigot, the many health centers, the yes we care program, free housing, the NEP and many more….I guess these programs paid for by funds from the Dominica CBI just benifit residence of Aruba and Guyana…you all are just a bunch of wicked people.
None of those things you mentioned there add up to about 9 billion. Secondly, what marigot hospital?
Exactly, these projects were only done to confuse the masses. Marigot hospital, there is a structure but nobody in it. NEP, clearly exist on paper for propaganda purposes but what about those few that actually participate, they haven’t been paid for month. And then those cardboard boxes, no were near 400k they cost. Furthermore, they only been given as election bribes.
Point, stop talking horse manure, ask your hero to present independently audited account. Why doesn’t he do that? It’s not rocket science. The truth of the matter is… he can’t, he might as well put a bullet in his head. The objective conclusion based on the facts, your hero is guilty as charged. He can’t produce any solid evidence in his defence, just plenty of propaganda, smoke screens and empty words. Right now he chose a new tactic, silence and hide from the public and hope it will all be forgotten after all the free sewo his servants will dish out over the coming days.
Firstly, These are not special gifts and extra benefits given to the people out of the goodness of their pockets. Providing health care is their job. Secondly, A Hospital that the people of Marigot had cried for for years upon years. Neglected out of spite for the people of Marigot. Finally they got a new hospital. That should never be considered a gift. Free housing has caused our commercial banks to close. Understand that if people get free houses, mortgage applications, mortgage payments will plummet. Free housing with 0 ownership. 0 title. Who is responsible for insurance? Can these people getting free housing afford to maintain the free house? NEP is been a complete strain on the treasury and a clear indication of how bad the private sector is doing when Employers cannot afford to hire the workers their business needs to operate properly. People like you support these strains and drains of the treasury once you get what you want them to give you. to hell with the country
In as much as I don’t favor Skeritt and his take on transpiracy, I don’t like the E.U even more. And, I will support my country over the E.U that’s intent on seeing us poor and dependent on them so that they can cripple us as needed. They have sanctions on most of the world’s poor people. Together with the Christian churches and missionaries they continue to suck the world dry. That’s not done by Skeritt nor Linton. The same happened to Antigua when the U.S unilaterally decided to sabotage Antigua’s gambling though it flourishes in Vegas etc. We have to take a stand and stand strong.
Suspension of the visa free will destroy Dominica since Skerrit has already killed our bananas, Ross University and everything we depended on for survival. And that he did to ensure we bow our knees to him.
I think the EU and other free countries must put a policy in place that will allow them to charge and arrest those leaders like Skerrit, for assisting known criminals, money launderers, those that putting their national security at risk.
This CBI program is like drug dealers that will sell their drugs without reporting their source of income and will try to destroy anyone that’s hurting their money just as Skerrit is not honest with the amount of passports sold so that he and his friends can get rich while our country goes down the drain of poverty. So the EU and others must go after those leaders like Skerrit that putting the lives of their people at risk, just as those that supplying known dangerous people with dangerous ammunitions of mass destruction. Go after Skerrit and all those helping him
@My little take, Skeritt had nothing to do with the failure of the banana industry. Those responsible were your friends in the European Union (former slave masters), USA led by Bill Clinton as he worked in the interest of the large corporations like Dole and Chiquita to cripple the economy of small banana producing countries. Edison rightly refered to them as economic terrorists. That does not concern you, you are more concerned about the security of former slave owners and exploiters of the black race. You are even calling on these foreign exploiters and oppressors arrest Skeritt for working in the interest of Dominica. you are shameless!!!
YOU are one crazy SOB if I have ever seen one. Skerrit has nothing to do with the demise of the Banana industry in DA? Why don’t you ask all the farmers? See what they have to say. Why is St. Lucia banana industry doing very well. Presumably in concentrating on Dominica, the EU and the USA forgot all about St. Lucia, SVG, Guyana, etc. Let me tell you, Skerrit will fully chose to neglect agriculture to make the people of DA more dependent on his handouts. That’s the naked truth!!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Lennox wasn’t lying! Oops
Eagle 🦅 you could not have said it better it is not about selling passports to criminals.It is about selling citizenship to people who they believe pose a threat to their security.The US and UK do not care a rats behind about criminals,what they care about is,people from certain countries who they are at war with do not enter their country.Hamas is murdering innocent men women and children.Israel is even murdering more innocent men,women and children and involved in committing crimes against humanity.Yet,the USA has decided to make the citizens of Israel enter the USA without a visa.Hypocrites,and UWP is supporting the EU BS because they cannot and will never win an election in Dominica.The biggest traitors in the Caribbean are the UWP supporters living in and out of Dominica.These people are so crooked they will never google CBI Dominica to get all the information,because they survive on lies,propaganda and fake news.
@Lin clown
America used HAMAS to fight against Syria. America created HAMAS, ISIS, Al Queda.I totally agree with you with this post.The biggest terrorist state on earth is Israel, and the USA has no problem with it. The most corrupt and dictatorial country in the world is Ukraine, but the USA has no problem with that. Even churches Zelensky is closing down, but America is silent on that…Putin moved children from a war zone to Rissia, America forced the ICC to issue an arrest order for him, Israel is murdering the children in Gaza, America is silent.
So Lin clown you have a point!!
Pure fiction. Get the facts straight. A half truth is a lie. No credibility to your writing.
Every passport issued or sold for the last 20 years since yours truly Skerrit has been Prime Minister should be in-validated and new passports issued to only those entitled to have one. True citizens of Dominica by birth or naturalization should get priority and Skerrit should be arrested by INTERPOL. The locations of all the millions from the sales should be fully accounted for and bank accounts should be seized that contain the funds. If criminals want their money back they should go to Dominica and tell Skerrit they want a refund since their passport is no longer valid let yours truly deal with them.
I second the motion. Roosevelt has done generational damage to the indigenous citizens of the country and its image. Roosevelt is a hybrid of corruption and evil personified.
Not for the sake of the EU, they can investigate crimes in their own country.
An American missionary was found here in Dominica with guns (that we know of), we have no idea how many and for how long, yet we never made a pitch to stop U.S citizens from coming nor ban their passports. We investigate and punish according to our laws. The EU can do the same, and go to hell.
UWP and some supporters are carrying their stupidity like a gold medal.Dominican passports are made in Canada by Canadian Bank Notes(CBN) because of security features.CBN keeps a record as to how many passports made and delivered to Dominica.Immigration department keep a record of the amount of passports received by CBN.Every passport issued is recorded at the immigration department at Police headquarters.One can be a citizen of Dominica living out of Dominica and don’t have a Dominican passport.There thousands of people born outside Dominica who have Dominican passports.For example,there are thousands of children who were born in France,England,Canada and the USA,after they were born they were taken back to Dominica to live.Every one of them have a Dominican passport,but they cannot be registered as Dominican by birth.The thousands of them are foreigners with a Dominican passport.So that 34,500 passport sold to foreigners at $100,000 a piece is fake and paid for by the USA and UK.
Uneducated crap
I think you’re confusing the matter… Not all people born outside Dominica who have Dominican passports apply via the CBI programme.
There are citizens by descent or naturalisation which are totally separate and distinctly different from the citizen by investment (CBI) passports and the costs are totally different.
Just to be clear,,,CBI is when people invest money in property or businesses, buy government bonds or simply donate cash directly, in exchange for citizenship and a passport.
You’re also making an assumption that all CBI passport holders have updated their passport to the new electronic passports.
If it’s true CBN keeps a record of the number of passports made and delivered to Dominica, then it shouldn’t be difficult for the relevant Gov. minister to obtain, state and appropriately document what those CBI numbers are.
No sensible individual will buy into your half-baked, ill-conceived explanation. The evidence of corruption is crystalline. Roosevelt runs the most fraudulent and underhanded passport scheme of all.
The man is a kleptomaniac. Remember the garbage bins and the fertilizer scandals? What about the $5 000 000monthly saving for the construction of the airport? Has there ever been an accurate accounting of the US $10 000 000 from Hugo Chavez as a donation to the Kalinago people? What about the PetroCaribe debt forgiveness of $270 000 000?
The list of scandals is as long the River Nile in Africa. Roosevelt and his scandal tormented regime should be politically exterminated from the political landscape of Dominica.
Boss shut your dam trap!! Plain and simple. We are not talking about Dominicans by descent and you dam well know that!!! People like you are the real soo tee weh!!!
The people you describe would not have to “buy” a passport. Gees Man.
I suggest that you do as your name says, go to the dam circus where you belong
you are surely a complete fool. Them times UWP is basically non existent. But people who do care about Dominica and the wellbeing of the people living and working in Dominica are still very much alive. All you can do is shout uwp uwp uwp like a bloody fool. is a wonder you stop calling Lennox Linton name also. People like you are ENEMIES OF THE STATE and should be whipped.
@Lin clown, I’ve got news for you and your cabal. Peter Wickham, I’m sure you know of him, has come out against Bajans living in the diaspora being given the right to vote in general elections there, either by mail, or on line or in person. Imagine that. Yet he’s in Dominica assisting your cabal to do nefarious things against the rules to remain in power. That guy, Wickham, like the rest of you, seem only he’ll bent on supporting what benefits you financially. Patriots love Dominica and are weary of you wolves in sheep clothing.
Hello Mr prime minister,
My name is Maddrello Angelliko and I was referred to you by your friend Alereza Monfared and am a Russian by birth.
Sir between two of us I committed a serious crime in in Iran and I am trying to hide from police. How can you help me sir? Ok coocomrad you in good hands. I can give you a CBI oaspasport you use in just about any country with no questions questions asked. You can go to the EU or US and from there you can go anywhere. In fact I can put you down as an Ambassador jusjust to give you more protection. Ok PM sounds good. So how much will I pay for it? Coocomrad the regular price is US$ 300k but for the sake of Monfared my good boy, I will give it to you for $150k. Ok PM how do I pay. Coocomrad I will contact Monfared and heeehe will tell you how to wire the money and get the CBI passport
8625000000 in numbers is just look like numbers but words tell it all,,,
dats Eight billion six hundred twenty-five million United States Dollars ,,,
when did a conversion rate of 2.70 dat come to 23718750000 Twenty-three billion seven hundred eighteen million seven hundred fifty thousand EC Dollars!!!
So tell me if all dem people dat signed on as Agents of this CBI program is not guilty of Treason!!!
All dat is money dem people take away from Dominica Treasury you know allyou not seeing dat man!!!
Stay with us, don’t turn-off your Dial we’ll be right back. Stay tuned. Passport Passport Passport Passport Passport Passport Passport Passport Passport [This was a Commercial Break] We will be right back.
@Raheem, you don’t make any sense because your post mentions the same topic “Passports ” that you are trying to ridicule. Do you know that you are under no obligation to read any submissions on here. Get a life. Maybe you feel that you would like to control what others prefer to opine about. There are thousands of other sites on the internet that you could tune into.
@ jean look at the amount of thumbs up given to my contribution! It’s you who are void of understanding. Go take a bath and wash your brains. Maybe that’ll help you. But please, don’t rebut my comments unless you want to continuously make a fool of yourself by telling me to find some other medium. Are you sound up there?
34,500 X $250,000.00 equals what? Money was flowing like Layou River in the pockets of all labor ministers, while the ordinary citizens wait for crumbs from Roosevelt’s table. God is not a Policeman 👮♂️ He keeps perfect records. Now it’s JUDGEMENT DAY. Folks may be busy hiding the stolen money and open bank accounts in the name of the unborn.
Let’s do some math. If these numbers from the EU are are correct and a passport costs US$100,000 then..
100,000 x 34,5000 = 3,450,000,000
That is 3.5 billion US dollars! More than enough money to buy a vehicle and a house for every family on the island.
The government has to account for every cent of that money, as is our right as citizens.
Truth be told you are a complete uninformed Jacka.Dominicans would never continue to vote a man if they were suffering.The people are not fools,you are.Skerrit has said over and over again the CBI will not last forever,but people like you bury your head up to your eyebrows in a pit toilet of stupidity.There are hundreds of Haitians living and working in Dominica.Some of them have a family and doing very well in Dominica,something the could never do in Haiti.Yet,they say Haiti,a place they could never survive is better than Dominica.WHY?Because unlike the Haitians
UWP and supporters would die to destroy Dominica.Ask yourself where the OCCRP get the information,where is the evidence,where is it recorded that Dominica sold 34,500 passports.We all remember what America did to Saddam Hussein and Iraq.They used Collin Powell to lie about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq,they fake satellite images.They used that lie to murder thousands of innocent men,women and children.PROPAGANDA.
Those who vote him are like you and him. Stupid, gullible , greedy, lazy, who don’t mind selling their country and their children’s future to line their pockets with temporary scrap
@Clown
Dominicans living on island do not vote the Skerrit government. No wonder you write so much drivel..You head is like steel. It’s people like you he pays to come in targeted constituencies to vote for his party.
You know, things like that meaning the thing Lin Clown! I wonder if you are not more a jacka.. (donkey, than those of us you term Jacka..?
I learned a very long time ago that people who indulged in the use of profanities to express themselves are not intelligent.
You lack intelligence you are someone weird who in my opinion didn’t finish elementary school.
You can’t even write a proper sentence, had it not be for the smart phone you are using and even at that your writing is like a scroll.
You do not even know when or where to insert pontification marks in a sentence or paragraph!
Nevertheless, it is the low class nobody scum of the earth things like you supporting corruption, and thievery in the country.
If you were not ignorant; the fact you said it is not the sale of passports, and went on to name places and citizens you believe are the focus; it is an indication you don’t have any understanding or concept of the passport issue at all! Crap can’t influence sane people!
It’s time for the EU, UK and US to take a strong position against Skerrit and those CBI passports.to crooks and known criminals like Monfared. The CBI passport is like selling your ID to someone, so he could use it to go where he would not be able to go with his regular ID and commit any crime. I don’t know what countries like the EU , UK and US are waiting on to stop Skerrit and his CBI passport sale that only benefits him and his very close friends. I don’t know if they waiting for these criminals to use our passports to hijack a jet or bomb a place of interests for them to take action. As a Dominican with US passport I am very concerned about the threat the CBI passport poses to me because I am always on a plane
There was a Dominican on his way back home from the UK who said he was sitting next to some people on the plane from the middle east who had a Dominican passport who spoke not one word of English. They did not even know where Dominica was located in the world they just bought the passports. He said he was shocked. Something is seriously wrong with that.
WOW, I was on that very flight and sat between two aliens from outer space and it was quite obvious that they were from Dominica since their passports were proudly slung around their necks. They simply looked at each other while communicating, no speech, no sign language. I kept looking left and right for any clues of where they were heading, maybe Barbados possibly Antigua since we were coming from the UK.
I was able to get a sneak peak into their passports but I didn’t recognize the writings. Ah, silly me, these are ALIENS, much more advanced than us humans.
Now in all seriousness, Mr Parrots, the first thing one does after going through security is secure their passport, put it away in their backpack, briefcase, purse etc for it is no longer required. Nobody is displaying their passports definitely not in the aircraft so stop this foolishness about sitting next to folks from the middle east.
You do not know anything about international travel so quit this nonsense.
But, Mark you wrong you know!
I personally traveled the world, witness what appears to be a pass time for people to review the entry and departure stamps and length of time granted to stay in some countries!
I’ve done that!
Anybody with a Dominica passport might view it with amusement seeing all the idiotic crap written in it, even with some dumb fools signing it as if there name and signature means anything outside of Dominica!
In my American passport the only name and signature in it belongs to me!
It doesn’t bare any information of distinguish marks.
And most of all when I fill out an application form for my passport, I don’t need any police, teacher or lawyer or so called know anybody to sign the application form oui!
I fill the application, sign it submit it with two passports size pictures and the fee, wait thirty days , plus or minus to arrive at my house via public mail!
I sign it and read to travel!
Do not condemn another’s experience simply to defend a corrupt system.
Lie Clown, the value of your comments is $0.00. Nobody on this forum takes your postings with a straight face. They are like used bathroom tissue.
@Lin clown, two very important things you have failed to highlight are that many passport buyers from the region where Dominica and other OECS countries prostitute their birthright, is the fact that many new citizens of these countries “change their names and this constitues an added burden to try to track them. Why do they change their names? Doesn’t it sound nefarious?. Also many apply for asylum once they arrive in these developed countries. These point to the fact that the speed with which they receive their passports that talk of due diligence by Skerritt and others is only talk. You and your cabal buddies said it was opposition acolytes who financed and orchestrated the study and report to kill the CBI program. Only clowns will sing from that hymn sheet. We love our country unlike those who love getting rich off her, irrespective of the damage and consequences. Who’s given Dominica a bad name? The truth has been revealed and it’s not those opposed to the cabal.
Jonathan, “many apply for asylum once they arrive in these developed countries”, with passports from Dominica or OECS countries, really? You buy that? Why? Have you tried to figure out the reasons given for asylum on their applications? Can you imagine someone with a Dominican passport showing up in the UK and saying they’re seeking asylum? Persecution in one’s country is typically the reason for asylum. Can you name one country from the list of countries being targeted where this persecution occurs? Certainly, not in Dominica.
Think about that man. These countries want us to remain as beggars, always coming to them for crumbs so they’re finding all types of faults with our programs. Even in the great USA where immigrants go through a rigorous application process when applying for “Green Cards”, undesirables are still able to sneak in.
The enemy that these EU countries fear is already embedded in their societies and not in our CBI programs.
This should be their focus.
@Mark, one feature of populist leaders and their puppets is they always play victim. How ridiculous that Dominica got it’s independence and joined the league of nations, meaning we are free, like any other country to seek your own path to development, within the rules and norms of international law. Here you are stating that EU countries want us to remain like beggars. Do you understand that we are now free to develop ourselves by our own bootstraps? Sounds like you want the EU to recolonize us and give us what we want for development. St. Vincent and Barbados don’t sell their birthright but find other means to development, why can’t we also?. Whiners will always whine instead of strategizing and organizing. Mark, because these crooks with our passports apply for asylum doesn’t mean it was granted. The “due diligence” by the EU found out they weren’t deserving but sought to exploit the system. Hence, our passports are put under scrutiny. Hope you get it now.
Jonathan, simple question to you. Can you explain the logic behind a person who spends hundreds of thousands of dollars to obtain a Dominican passport only to turn around and go to the UK and apply for asylum? Does that make any sense to you? This is simply BS.
The individuals who purchase our passports are extremely wealthy and are doing so basically for convenience, visa free access to over 100 countries. They’re not being used for any terroristic activity. The terrorist are already in those countries having snuck in as refugees.
I know you’re one of those individuals who would rejoice at Dominica’s complete collapse just to get rid of Mr Skerrit but look at the bigger picture man. Mr Skerrit will not be PM forever. The CBI program is really working, just look at all the infrastructure projects currently underway in Dominica.
No system is full proof, just ask the “hackers” so to expect Dominica’s CBI program to be without fault is simply being unrealistic.
Asylum is the protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee:
Now there are very few politicians if any who seeks asylum in another country, except if they were fleeing as a dictator!
Fact is when one disembark from a flight from any country, places such as Russia, China or Middle Eastern countries, can’t speak a word of English, and if ask to state the geographic location of Dominica, unable to do so; they immediately becomes suspect.
That is why a few years ago when I was in Canada two plane load of Chines landed in Canada, all had Dominica passport, not one spoke a word of English; they were refused entry into Canada, and returned to the port of embarkation.
The world is up to the CBI game where people buys Dominica passports for convenient travel to places where they are persona non grata!
They know that criminals buys Dominica passports to facilitate their criminal activity.
Only two plane loads, Francisco?Are you sure it wasn’t three or four? I believe you’re just pulling our legs with that story.
Did you wait at immigration to see all those Chinese/Dominicans processed? If so, you must have been extremely bored to have waited for hundreds of persons to get processed.
Francisco, to use one of your lines, this is all fart. Never happened.
One of the worst murderers the world ever known is a lunatic the late notorious Adolf Hitler, who said “the bigger the lie it’s the more believable it is!”
In any event I don’t have any reason to exaggerate or lie about anything I convey on DNO!
I noted two loaded commercial passenger aircraft, that’s what I meant.
And if you have a means of doing some fact check feel free to do so, and if you discover it was more than two, let me know!
@Mark, you are on an emotional trip trying to defend your advantages gained by supporting the cabal led by Skerritt. You want to blame the EU for the mess that you people have created and which is affecting other countries. My mother taught me that once my actions begin to affect the rights of others then I must check my behavior. I guess you weren’t taught this piece of wisdom before but no more can you claim ignorance as you’ve been told by me. The Indian passport grants it’s citizens visa free access to only about 60 countries whilst the Dominican and OECS passport gives visa free access to 157 countries. You whine that they are trying to keep Dominica poor and begging despite they giving us easy access to their country and resources. When Skerritt abuses the privilege given to all Dominicans for his pals getting rich quickly, you still blame those who extended easy access to their wealth and resources. You are a sick puppy without a conscience.
Jonathan, the EU is trying to dictate to us (OECS countries) what we should or shouldn’t do with our CBI programs. They’re well within their rights to cancel the visa free access but what they’re really seeking is to kill the program so we can continue to bow down to them as beggars do.
You said we’re free to determine our own destiny and that’s exactly what we’re trying to accomplish. It’s not easy to do so in places with very few natural resources so we have to do whatever it takes (legally) to achieve that goal.
You say they’re giving us easy access to their country. Is this what it’s all about, the ability to migrate and build up another man’s country? What about your country? Can you name one notable project that has been derived from the EU? ZERO.
Take a look at all the projects currently underway in Dominica, all CBI money.
I’ll say it again. The enemy that these countries fear is already embedded in their societies with all those refugees coming in…
@Mark, where is your evidence that the EU is trying to kill the CBI program? You keep saying that without proving it. Don’t these countries have a “right” to provide security for their citizens within their countries? You are suggesting that they should take Dominica’s needs into account over their national security? They aren’t preventing Dominicans from coming to their countries but are making it more stringent. Why do you want to puff out your chest to the world, like joining ALBA, and challenging our benefactors yet want them to cower and develop your country for you?. The issue isn’t selling citizenship as many developed countries do so, but it’s how Skerritt and his agents choose to operate it. Their talk of “due diligence ” has been proven to be only talk. These EU countries met before with Skerritt about their concerns and he just keeps pushing his failed due diligence talk. Skerritt doesn’t want to utilize those who migrated to build Dominica. That’s on him.
What projects??? His new houses that are currently under construction? That’s what you referring to? Don’t come and mention airport! The airport will end up exactly like geothermal. Billions ‘invested’ nothing to show for it. Or are you referring to Gregor Nasiefs project or that of Sam Raphael or Allick Lawrence or Mr. McIntyre project or that Kempinski that only produces debts? That what you are taking about? Man, it’s only you that could keep on defending the indefensible.
Many think that the ‘unlivable’ minimum wage and high joblessness in the country are responsible for the hardships in the country. The money which has been collected from the CBI scheme can help to alleviate the pain..
DNO, is there any truth that Roosevelt has given himself a 30% increase in salary and all his do-nothing ministers a 20% hike. Is this new found gold mine from the missing CBI funds?
Since Star boy of Stupidity has given himself and his hypocritical parasites such a handsome increase , don’t the teachers, nurses and other hardworking public servants even more deserving of a handsome increase?
Mr. Thomas Letang, the president of the PSU, hardly does anything to agitate for a well deserved top-up for his union members. Some say it’s the fault of the members because they don’t respond to his call. Wrong! When a man is well over 20 years as head of any organisation and cannot motivate his members to take a stand, it’s time for him to EXIT.
I want all fair-minded Dominicans to take a thorough look around your country. Think about the crumbling infrastructure, the living standard of most citizens, the essential services of electricity, water and healthcare offered by this ‘I Run Things’ , one man government.
The missing billions that belong to the people could be used to empower most poverty stricken families and help to raise the general standard of living of the country.
When the overwhelming number of citizens in a country is dirt poor and just a few live well, this is uncontestable evidence that the country is being mismanaged. In Dominica, there is a glaring disparity in terms of wealth between the politicians, their lackeys and the general population. Roosevelt eviscerated the once striving Middle Class.
NO politician, no one individual, no opposition party can effect change to how a country is governed without the support of the masses. The MASSES must rise up and push Roosevelt to the curb.
In a previous post to this news outlet, I spoke about the EU ratcheting up the pressure on countries selling passports, particularly Dominica, the leading abuser. I was challenged to provide the evidence. DNO has done it.
What is most shockingly appalling is that 34 500 of Dominica’s passports have been sold and only one quarter of this number have been officially reported by the Roosevelt led kleptocracy. So, Mr. Lennox Linton was right. Billions of dollars that should be in the consolidation fund have gone AWOL.
Even more shocking is the deafening silence from the public. This missing money should be located and use to incentivise the lifeless economy; to greatly improve the services in the healthcare; give a livable increase in the wages and salaries of public servants; for a new network of roads to increase trade and new commercial and residential areas.
When the people are close-mouthed with blatant corruption by government politicians ride them like donkeys.
DNO is way behind on this on this one,very late.It is not about selling citizenship to criminals it is about selling citizenship to persons in certain countries like Russia,China,Libya,Yemen,Iran and Iraq.Countries where the UK and the USA has a lot of enemies.The UK with the support of the USA is trying to get the 27 member EU/EC to put visa restrictions on the small islands.Seeing the world is in a possible state of the 3rd world war.That investigation was paid for by the USA and UK and first published by a British newspaper the Guardian.If a person from Russia or Yemen or Iran is carrying a Dominican passport it is easier to enter the EU countries.People from the above mentioned countries pose a threat to the USA and UK they do not have to have a criminal record.Selling passports to criminals is just hogwash coming from UWP.It is all about the security of the USA and UK.A lot of people have committed major crimes in their countries and are citizens of the USA and UK.
Unadulterated foolishness! Exactly what we expect to come from a person who has handcuffed himself to lies, tomfoolery, insanity and horse feathers.
Only your identical quadruplets – ds, Dog Biter, Putin pay any serious attention to your convoluted, distorted stories.
@Lin clown, two very important things you have failed to highlight are that many passport buyers from the region where Dominica and other OECS countries prostitute their birthright, is the fact that many new citizens of these countries “change their names and this constitues an added burden to try to track them. Why do they change their names? Doesn’t it sound nefarious?. Also many apply for asylum once they arrive in these developed countries. These point to the fact that the speed with which they receive their passports that talk of due diligence by Skerritt and others is only talk. You and your cabal buddies said it was opposition acolytes who financed and orchestrated the study and report to kill the CBI program. Only clowns will sing from that hymn sheet. We love our country unlike those who love getting rich off her, irrespective of the damage and consequences. Who’s given Dominica a bad name? The truth has been revealed and it’s not those opposed to the cabal.
“UK.A lot of people have committed major crimes in their countries and are citizens of the USA and UK.”
Thing you are not only a liar, you are an raving lunatic; prove you are not a mentally derange liar, by naming one single person who commit crimes in a country, and was granted citizenship in America!
Let me tell you something, if you are lucky to obtain a Green Card, and become a permanent residence here, and you commit a felony, that land you in jail, after you serve that time in jail, upon release, you are not going home in America, they escort you to some airport and deport you back to the which country from which you came.
Ask me about that and I will tell you I have a nephew who suffered that fate; born in Antigua, went to New York got into a gang, went down into the Subway, confronted, police tried to take way police gun; end up in jail because of that after serving his time in jail, he was deported back to Antigua.
People with Green Card gets deported for high…
I am trying to understand what you are saying, while I am doing that are you aware that over 65% of golden passports and visas issued by EU countries have been issued to Chinese a substantial number have been issued to Russians, Ukrainians and Lybians not forgetting the Iranians, so who is posing a threat to US & UK. You never know perhaps every rocket fired by Hamas at Israel was directed by a Dominican, Antiguan or Grenadian passport holder….lol
In that case if you are certain, without any doubts, perhaps you would be willing to provide your source of information where one can verify and confirm your information is correct!
You see guy the European Union is not only one country: and whereas we are aware of the immigration problems in France and England Germany, and others,though England has pulled out of the EU one wonders if there is anything credible in what you conveyed.
And that is why we need your source about this golden passport thing.
Let me tell you plenty nations have CBI programs even America, nevertheless, you can’t buy a U.S passport because that’s not what CBI means.
CBI means investment money in a country employing at least twenty-five people, after the business is up and running, then citizenship is granted (that’s how it works in America; and Ireland where the idea of citizenship by investment started around 1962, in order to create employment in economically deprived areas in Southern Ireland.
The EU is not a democratic institution. Talking of corruption did any of the EU members of parliament involved in the Quatargate corruption scheme have Antiguan, Dominican Grenadian, Kittitian or St. Lucian passports. and what about the Russian Oligarchs that deposit billions of dollars in EU banks.
The EU is not a democratic institution? But I guess Dominica is? Yes? Let me tell you, not dead people vote in EU elections, no unfair bribery at EU election, the police is commanded by an independent commissioner, not by the Leader of the government, etc. I refuse to grant you (Point) any more of my time. You just don’t deserve it. Let me tell you, fool, Dominica is a fully fledged Dictatorship a carbon copy of Putins Russia. Just put that in your pipe and smoke it instead of that herb you grow in your back yard.
@ Rosemund, I was referring to the EU Commission it is an unelected body. Dominica is a functioning DEMOCRACY, no need raise your pressure just put that in your pipe and inhale. By the way if you want to know a fool look in a mirror.
@Rosemund
How can you compare Dominica with Russia or Skerrit with Putin? Pure unadulterated nonsense. It simply shows your ignorance of who Putin is, and your lack of knowledge of Russia and the Russian country.People who know better would laugh at you with scorn and disdain! Do you know who Putin is? Man no wonder this country is in this quagmire that it is in.
@???
I totally agree with you on that!!
That’s what you defenders of corruption do best. Instead of challenging the authenticity of the evidence, you accuse others of unrelated wrongdoings.
*Where is the money for the other unaccounted 25 000 passports that were sold?
*Who all shared in that loot?
*Will Dominicans ever get any of these missing billions of dollars?
*How soon will other European countries follow the UK’s lead and revoke Dominica’s visa free status?
Answer those questions instead of pointing an accusing finger of things immaterial to the article.
The birthright of Dominicans is suffering the indignity and misfortune of being sold.
Your forefathers suffered the same indignity and misfortune when they were sold into slavery.
comparing slavery with the sale of passports? total rubbish, you belch this garbage because people like you believe that slavery of black people is just another chapter in history.
Point, what the hell is your point?
Slavery of black people is not a part of history?
Your disrespectful rant comes across as incoherent.
@Point, just so you know, there are quite a few “sleeper cells” in dem deh woods 🪵 of Dominica. England didn’t just go and leave us alone. You have to see those un-weathered vehicles off and on when they show up to buy a few groceries to disappear and lay low in da woods. Spooky eh.
How could a country stand by and support and re-elect a Prime Minister who made selling passports the sole pillar for economic development? It is not the PM who is a fool, it is the people who allow and support him. When CBI revenue decreases we shall all suck salt!
@Truth be Told, have you done any research on this topic? Do you know that many EU countries have similar programs, call it golden passport or golden visa they all have the same purpose to attract investment from high net worth individuals. Are you also aware that the visa free access Dominica and other islands enjoy with the EU is for a temprary 90 day stay and before they enter they have to seek a approval from ETIAS and they can be denied entry. So having a Dominican or Antiguan passport does not give you automatic access to EU countries. On the other hand if you get a golden visa or passport from any EU country you can reside and work in any EU country. All I am seeing here is rank hypocrisy.
Point, I am very much aware of everything that you have written here, and I still cannot understand how this could be your response to my comment which I shall repeat here again and I hope you read it again with understanding!
How could a country stand by and support and re-elect a Prime Minister who made selling passports the sole pillar for economic development? It is not the PM who is a fool, it is the people who allow and support him. When CBI revenue decreases we shall all suck salt!
I didnt go to school but I going and try and do some maths.
34,500 passports sold by $100,000 US DOLLARS (That’s the average price, I think it can be higher or lower based on families etc but whatever. That’s the number I have so that’s what I working with)
That gives us 3,450,000,000 USD DOLLARS. If I multiply that by 2.75 I get
9,487,500,000. That’s 9 billion with a B, but I could be wrong, I didnt go school. Probably it’s gonna be a lower number cause I think you get a discount with familiar members but hey, idk…not like the information is disclosed so yea. 5 more years lol
The EU countries are being flooded with migrants, so-called refugees from countries notorious for terrorism and this being done by NGOs in those countries with the tacit support of the government. Many of them are ILLEGAL migrants who come in by boat and other means. Just the other day there were riots, large scale protests in favor of the Hamas terrorists in many EU countries, something you would have never seen over a decade ago before these countries were flooded with middle easterners.
But somehow it’s a CBI program in some small country that’s a threat to them. Granted the government is obviously up to some corrupt stuff if they are vastly undereporting the number of passports sold but the EU trying to make this about immigration security is laughable.
Two things can be true at once you know. Not because they have a migrant issue means they dont have an issue with the passports as well. lol
You are the one spewing bovine scatology. The selling of passport to criminals and shady characters, because these Caribbean countries have visa free access to members of the European Union, it poses a real and dangerous threat to the national security and safety of their countries. What don’t you understand about that? I
Are all your mental faculties intact?
@Ibo France, name one terrorist that was issued with a Dominican passport. All countries issue passports to criminals, if you are a criminal that is not a disqualifying factor. If you have a criminal matter against you and you are considered a flight risk you will be asked to surrender your passport until the matter is settled. If your European masters believe that their security is threatened by these passport selling small islands states, do like UK and US and impose visa restrictions and stop getting on like some sick dog. The EU wants to clear the playing field so that EU countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, Montenegro and others can continue with the Golden passport and visa program with no competition. People like you are the modern day supporters of slavery, whatever your white European slave master wants your support is assured…
“It said to date, 88,000 passports have been sold by these five countries with Dominica selling 34,500 which, according to reports, is four times more than what the government of Dominica has reported.”
Men lie, women lie, numbers dont lie. I have always had the feeling that there was something shady going on.
@if we know better, we can’t help it if people prefer our passports more than the other Caribbean countries. It must be the Jacko Parrot on our flag that make it more appealing. In any case we making more money from our CBI programme than the other countries combined, that’s why we are able to provide Dominicans with nice posh apartments, Hospitals and health centres, roads, five star hotels, sports facilities and now an International Airport. Do you think the EU, UK, USA would give us the money to do these projects to help us develop our selves? They would much prefer to give us weapons to start wars and destroy ourselves and others. So the EU,UK, Canada etc. can stick their opinions where the sun doesn’t shine and watch our CBI program help to support us.
Criminals and bandits like easy access to illicit things and activities that they can conveniently avoid detection and prison time.
The Dominica passport is the cheapest and there is hardly any due diligence done before the purchase. In some passport selling countries a prospective buyer has to visit the country during the process of purchase. In Dominica that is not a requirement. You live in Russia, China or Iran just send your $100 000. One does not have to set foot in Dominica. In fact, some holders of Dominica passports CANNOT locate the country on a map. They don’t even know the capital or the name of the national symbols.
The sale of Dominica passports reminds of the Chinese stores in Dominica. People flock to the Chinese places of business not because they have the best products but for the cheapest.
Eagle-eye you missed the point with all, all, all, all, that passport money flowing, the King Liar has it as; “One share for Dominica, four shares for me”……