Cabinet Fires Back: Central Government Warns Barbuda Land Transactions by Council "Will Not Be Recognised," Threatens Demolition of Unauthorised Structures

The battle over Barbuda's land has escalated sharply, with the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda issuing a stern warning that unauthorised land sales, leases, and development activities on the sister island will not be recognised by the government — and that illegal structures could face demolition.

The warning was disclosed by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant during Thursday's post-Cabinet media briefing, following discussions on the establishment of the Barbuda Land Registry and the government's preparations for the sale of Crown lands on the island.

The Cabinet pronouncement comes just one day after the Barbuda Council issued its own forceful press release declaring that "Barbuda's Lands Are Not for Sale" and accusing the central government of attempting to "manufacture consent" for a luxury real estate market — setting up a direct and unmistakable confrontation between the two governing authorities.

Cabinet's Position: The Council Has No Authority

Merchant said Cabinet received an update from Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs Sir Steadroy Benjamin on progress toward operationalising the Barbuda Land Registry, a system the government says is intended to provide a legal framework for land registration and transactions in Barbuda. Cabinet expressed satisfaction with the progress made to date and reaffirmed its long-standing position that the Barbuda Council does not have the legal authority to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of land.

During the discussions, Cabinet emphasised that any attempt by the Barbuda Council to conduct land sales, leases or transfers would have no legal effect and would not be recognised or honoured by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

Demolition on the Table

The Cabinet also used the opportunity to issue a warning regarding unauthorised development. Merchant said ministers reiterated that all land transactions and development activities must comply with the laws of Antigua and Barbuda and that any structures erected without the necessary approvals could be subject to enforcement measures — including the demolition and removal of unauthorised structures built in violation of planning and development requirements.

He noted that Cabinet discussed instances of development taking place without the required permissions and stressed that the government is prepared to take action where necessary.

The Government's Case for the Registry

Merchant said Cabinet was advised that work is continuing on the legal and administrative mechanisms required to facilitate land registration and land transactions. Officials believe the registry will create greater certainty for landowners, investors and prospective developers by providing an official system for recording and verifying land interests.

Cabinet views the registry as a critical component of efforts to improve transparency, protect property rights and ensure that all land-related activities are conducted within the framework of national law.

Two Irreconcilable Positions — And a Court Date

The Cabinet's position stands in direct opposition to that of the Barbuda Council, which maintains that the Barbuda Local Government Act (1976), as amended and entrenched in the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda, empowers the Council with responsibility to administer the island of Barbuda — and that the Land Adjudication Act and other legislation being deployed by the government cannot supersede that constitutional mandate.

Critically, the matter is presently before the court, with hearings held this week — including one scheduled for today, Thursday, June 11. The legal proceedings will ultimately determine which of the two competing claims to authority over Barbuda's land prevails.

Until the courts rule, Barbudans, investors, and observers across the region are left watching two governing bodies issue diametrically opposed declarations about the same land — one asserting the right to register and sell it, the other insisting it is communally owned and not for sale at any price.