St. Kitts PM Terrance Drew condemns attempted blackmail over CBI program

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has issued a firm condemnation of what he calls a “calculated and malicious” attempt to blackmail and extort the government of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Speaking on the May 13 edition of The Roundtable, Prime Minister Drew revealed that individuals associated with MSR Media—along with unnamed local collaborators—approached him with a shocking demand: between US$40 million and US$100 million to suppress the release of a video allegedly designed to discredit the nation’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program.

“People came to my office asking for 40 to 100 million dollars for that video not to be released,” said Prime Minister Drew. “I told them no. That is extortion. That is blackmail, and [that video] is going to be filled with lies.”

The Prime Minister made it unequivocally clear that he would not bow to threats or coercion, stating that no public funds would be used to pay off what he described as a blatant attack on the integrity of the country.

“You’re not going to get one cent out of me,” Dr. Drew affirmed, adding that he has instructed the Attorney General to pursue all appropriate legal avenues. A globally respected international law firm has also been retained to handle the matter.

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“This is a serious, serious matter. This is extortion of a state, of a country,” the prime minister emphasised. “No one has the right to walk into the Prime Minister’s Office to blackmail or extort because you want to bring out a nasty, malicious video to attack our country.”

Dr. Drew further alleged that MSR Media—a company previously involved in film production within St. Kitts and Nevis—is behind the video, claiming the entity had “bought” individuals locally to participate in what he labeled a disinformation campaign.

“This is something that I will fight and fight to the end because the precedent must not be set in St. Kitts and Nevis that people can walk into the Prime Minister’s Office [and make such demands],” said Dr. Drew. “This will not be allowed to stand.”

He closed by reaffirming his government’s commitment to transparency, good governance, and the protection of national interest. The matter, he stressed, will be pursued to the full extent of the law to ensure accountability and justice.