{"id":263808,"date":"2026-01-10T14:53:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T18:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=263808"},"modified":"2026-01-10T14:53:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T18:53:36","slug":"cabinet-notes-january-8-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/cabinet-notes-january-8-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"CABINET NOTES: January 8, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
MEETING OF THURSDAY 8TH<\/sup> JANUARY 2026<\/strong><\/p>

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The prayers before Cabinet were led by A Pastor from the Salvation Army, whose meditation centred on the Book of James 1: 2-4 in which James teaches that when believers face hardships, they should view them with a hopeful attitude because trials strengthen faith. The Pastor told the Cabinet that those challenges build perseverance, and perseverance helps a person grow spiritually\u2014becoming mature, complete, and lacking nothing in character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He prayed God\u2019s guidance on the decisions of the Cabinet and prayed also for unity among members.  He concluded that with unity, the Cabinet will have God given strength to address the challenges facing the nation.<\/p>

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1.     Wednesday\u2019s Cabinet meeting, the first Official Meeting for the New Year was chaired by Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, who welcomed members and advised that the current state of the world\u2019s political climate, requires members to roll their sleeves up and to work hard to navigate the challenges faced by Antigua and Barbuda and nation\u2019s around the world. Cabinet commenced its discussions on the matter of  Cooperation with the United States Regarding Third-Country Nationals, USA Visa Bond matter and matters involving the USA and Venezuela.<\/p>

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The Prime Minister led Cabinet discussions on cooperation with the United States regarding Third-Country Nationals. He reminded Cabinet that the arrangement proposed by the United States is a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), advanced as part of its global efforts to share responsibility for refugees already present within U.S. territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda was approached by the United States\u2014alongside more than one hundred governments worldwide, including several within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)\u2014to consider this non-binding understanding.<\/p>

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Under the proposed understanding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n