Cabinet Confirms OECS Leaders Seeking Joint Clarity on U.S. Visa Restrictions
Antigua and Barbuda’s Cabinet has confirmed that leaders within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are seeking clarification from the United States on newly announced visa restrictions, as affected countries pursue diplomatic engagement with Washington.
Speaking at Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Prime Minister Gaston Browne has already been in contact with his OECS counterpart who is also named in the U.S. proclamation.
“I can tell you that the Honourable Prime Minister would have had discussions with his OECS counterpart, who is named in this proclamation, and both are at the stage of this time seeking clarification on its contents,” Merchant said.
He added that the leaders are united in their objective to restore full visa access for their citizens.
“Both are determined to ensure that visa access to the United States is reinstated in full,” Merchant said.
The matter was discussed during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by Acting Prime Minister Sir Steadroy Cutie Benjamin in the absence of Browne, who is off-island. Cabinet also received updates from Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene and Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders.
Merchant said no discussions have yet taken place regarding a broader CARICOM-wide position on the issue, noting that the government is focused on obtaining clarity before considering further regional engagement.
“We do not know what the CARICOM partners are thinking at this time or doing at this time,” he said.
Until additional information is received from U.S. officials, Merchant said the government will maintain the position already outlined in the Prime Minister’s public statement and will not issue travel advice to nationals.
Cabinet, he said, remains committed to keeping the public informed as diplomatic discussions continue.
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