The Government of Dominica on Tuesday described as “malicious and misleading” social media reports suggesting it is negotiating with the United States over the release of an American national facing murder charges in the country.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade, and Energy said the reports, widely circulated online, were unfounded and appeared to be politically motivated. “While the Ministry is not in the business of responding to hearsay and baseless statements, it is felt that these particular statements, which are maliciously being peddled by the opposition, should be addressed,” the statement said.
The claims followed a video message by former opposition leader Hector John, in which he said the government had received a “third ultimatum” from the United States for Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to release Jonathan Scott Lehrer, one of two US nationals charged in the 2023 double murder of Echo Resort owner Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand. John alleged that Skerrit met with US officials on January 16 to “pave the way” for Lehrer’s handover.
Lehrer, 57, and Robert Snider Jr., 62, have been in remand awaiting trial for the murders of Langlois, a Canadian animation pioneer and philanthropist, and his 58-year-old longtime partner.
In response, the government clarified that, in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the US Embassy in Bridgetown has been granted permission to meet and hold discussions with its nationals since November 2024. The Ministry said such visits are “standard consular practice” and are intended to provide support to detained nationals, not to negotiate their release.
The Ministry confirmed that the most recent virtual meeting with the US nationals was held on January 14, 2026, and that an in-person meeting is scheduled for February at a date to be confirmed. The statement emphasized that all consular access has been facilitated according to established procedures and that any suggestion of a special arrangement with the US Government is “malicious and misleading.”
The government urged the public to allow the justice system to take its course and to refrain from making statements that could affect the trial.
