Vanuatu officials are responding to concerns about the legitimacy of citizenship acquired through investment by reviewing Tate's case, which has implications for the country's reputation and visa agreements.
Vanuatu Considers Revoking Andrew Tate's Citizenship Amid Controversy
Vanuatu Considers Revoking Andrew Tate's Citizenship Amid Controversy
Authorities in Vanuatu are investigating the potential revocation of Andrew Tate's citizenship following scrutiny over his past legal troubles.
Vanuatu’s government is currently evaluating the citizenship status of controversial influencer Andrew Tate, amid growing international scrutiny surrounding his legal troubles in Romania. Tate, who self-identifies as a misogynist, received his "golden passport" through a fast-track citizenship program offered by the Pacific nation that requires a minimum investment of $130,000 (£96,000).
The investigation into Tate's citizenship comes on the heels of revelations that he acquired it shortly before his arrest in December 2022, along with his brother Tristan, on charges of rape and human trafficking. The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project brought to light these connections, raising alarms over the effectiveness and transparency of Vanuatu's citizenship-by-investment scheme.
Kiery Manassah, a spokesperson for the Vanuatu government, stated that authorities are actively looking into Tate's situation and plan to initiate revocation proceedings if deemed necessary. He emphasized that the administration does not wish to grant citizenship to individuals with questionable backgrounds or those under international investigation, indicating a firm stance on maintaining the integrity of Vanuatu’s passport system.
These fast-track programs have resulted in considerable income for small nations but have also raised security concerns. Aubrey Belford, a Pacific lead editor at OCCRP, asserted that such schemes have been exploited by individuals involved in organized crime and posed risks by facilitating evasion of law enforcement.
Tate, who gained notoriety for promoting harmful views and behaviors towards women, has amassed a substantial online following of over 10 million on social platforms, including X. Born in the US before relocating to the UK as a child, he and his brother have consistently denied any wrongdoing related to the serious allegations against them.
As Vanuatu reassesses its relationship with individuals like Tate, the implications of citizenship acquisition for investment could reshape how such programs are viewed globally, especially in the wake of the European Union's decision to strip Vanuatu of its visa-free access, a measure taken in response to these very concerns.
