Antigua & Barbuda reportedly receives ultimatum from USA: Cut ties with Cuba or face cancellation of visas
Heads of various government ministries are huddled in an emergency meeting this afternoon, September 8, 2025, informed sources say, as the United States of America (USA) allegedly has delivered an ultimatum to Antigua and Barbuda: Cut ties with the Republic of Cuba or face the cancellation of visas issued to nationals and residents.
Reportedly, this demand follows Antigua and Barbuda’s earlier attempts to pacify the US Government on the matter of accepting assistance from the Cuban government through its Medical Brigade.
At the time that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the subject of medical aid to the region, American officials warned that failure to terminate agreements between the Caribbean nations and Cuba could lead to restricted access to the United States.
This was after US officials claimed that the Medical Brigade workers were, in fact, the exploited victims of human trafficking, as their earnings were remitted to the Government of Cuba.
In a swift response to the threat, the Gaston Browne Administration promised that it would treat Cuban medical workers in the same manner as local employees, paying them directly and deducting the relevant taxes.
It is not known whether that proposal was accepted by the United States Government, but this reported ultimatum seems to indicate it was not.
As far as our Newsroom could determine, the prime minister is out of the country, at present, and it is assumed that the ministerial huddle has been convened by Attorney-General Sir Steadroy Benjamin.
