EU raises security concerns as it reveals five Caribbean states have sold 88,000 ‘golden passports’

The Guardian: The European Union (EU) has expressed concern about the sale of “golden passports” by five Caribbean countries. These passports entitle individuals from various countries, including Iran, Russia and China, to citizenship. According to a European Commission report, these Caribbean countries issued a total of 88,000 such passports. Dominica, which has a population of just over 70,000, issued 34,500 passports, more than four times the previously released figures. St. Kitts and Nevis, with a population of 48,000, issued 36,700 passports, twice as many as anticipated through 2018.

The EU is alarmed by the potential security risks associated with these golden passports, including organized crime, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption. Some passport holders may even change their first and last names, creating problems for border control and law enforcement. To address these problems, the European Commission proposes to revise the rules on golden passports. The report also emphasizes that most applicants come from countries with high levels of perceived corruption, including China, Russia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Nigeria and Libya. The EU is keen to prevent abuse of the visa-free regime and is considering new grounds for suspending visas. This issue has implications for both security and immigration, and could affect the indigenous people of these Caribbean countries, as visa privileges could be suspended.

The entire article can be read at the link https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/19/caribbean-states-sold-golden-assports-eu-citizenship-travel