Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne continues to face criticism for a comment deemed insensitive, especially within his sphere as a leader, amid the ongoing eruptions of La Soufrière in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Browne, responding to a mention from an Antiguan Facebook user, said ‘jokingly’ he had already told fellow prime minister Ralph Gonsalves to send only young, attractive Vincentian women.

In the Saturday (April 10) Facebook post, Nickey Joseph asked in jest for priority to be given to old women, ‘strong back’ St Vincent men and sugar daddies. However, Browne’s response, while equal in witticism, was arguably not received in the same vein.

“Me done tell Comrade Ralph to send all the young pretty ladies; we need to expand our population,” he replied from his personal Facebook page.

The comment, though later deleted, was enough to trigger backlash as Twitter users, particularly women across the Caribbean, called out Browne for misogyny and crass statesmanship.

Browne, seemingly reacting to the backlash on Sunday, claimed that the comment was made without the intention to disparage or demean women and urged his detractors to “get a life”.

“Levity without profanity, or offensive words on social media, could never be considered as morally reprehensible. Get a life!” the 54-year-old father of five exclaimed.

What’s sure across the Twittersphere, was that the joke was lost on many.

“I saw a video of a Vincy woman who would rather face an erupting volcano than go to a shelter because of the fear of her daughters being sexually exploited. Then, I go on FB and see the PM of my Country make a statement like this. I have a sense of humor. This is NOT a joke,” Chaneil Imhoff said on Twitter.

“I’m actually ashamed. This is not levity or humor. This is crass and I hate to see it,” the Youth Member of Parliament for St Peter parish added.

Scores of Twitter users were in disbelief at the revelation of Browne’s rhetoric, while others found the gag to be harmless.

“Imagine young women being scared and displaced from their homes, seeking a safe space and a prime minister is suggesting now is the time for them to breed up. Why are men?” @Chrissy_Dee reacted.

More reactions

In a show of solidarity for the ongoing volcanic event in St Vincent, Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Dominica and Grenada all gave assurances that citizens in need of evacuation would be accommodated.

La Soufrière, which went into its explosive phase on Friday, continues to pump out smoke and ash across swathes of St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and Barbados.