Caribbean round-up: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Caricom, Cuba, and Jamaica

Antigua and Barbuda The government of Antigua and Barbuda has proposed restricting a possible agreement with the United States to nationals of selected Caribbean countries, Brazil and Colombia. Under the draft procedures, the US could propose nationals from CARICOM member states, excluding Haiti, as well as Brazil and Colombia. However, nationals of any other country would require prior written approval from the Antigua and Barbuda government. Prime Minister Gaston Browne said his government had revised the terms proposed by Washington and was awaiting a response from the United States. He stressed that the nationality restrictions were part of Antigua and Barbuda’s counterproposal and had not yet been accepted. The draft would exclude Antiguan and Barbudan nationals, minors and people with known criminal histories, except for US immigration violations. Eligible individuals would also need a valid passport and a lawful, realistic way to return to their home country or travel to another destination. Antigua and Barbuda would have the final say on each individual transfer, with the right to approve or reject applicants in writing. The proposal would limit transfers to seven people every three months, with no obligation for the government to accept a minimum number. Browne did not explain why Brazil and Colombia were included while Haiti was excluded, and no transfers have been announced under the revised proposal. Barbados Barbados has welcomed British Airways’ decision to increase seat capacity to the island by 70% for the 2026/2027 winter season, with a further increase of over 100% planned for next summer. “This speaks to the demand that exists for travel to Barbados and the region. We are exceptionally happy that BA has continued to demonstrate this strong vote of confidence in Barbados as a destination, as demonstrated by their commitment to increase capacity on the Barbados route at this time,” said the CEO of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), Andrea Franklin. “Ensuring Barbados remains accessible to our valued UK visitors is a top priority. This expanded partnership with British Airways also ensures fantastic options for connectivity, providing more opportunities for travellers from all regions of the United Kingdom, Europe, the African continent, the Middle East and beyond,” she added. BTMI said the expanded schedule could add more than 120,000 seats to Barbados annually, largely through the return of a year-round London Gatwick service. Starting October 25, British Airways will operate daily direct flights from Gatwick to Barbados, complementing its Heathrow services. During winter, the airline will offer three daily direct flights from the UK, with two from Heathrow and one from Gatwick, marking a first for the island. The Gatwick service will continue into summer 2027, marking British Airways’ first double-daily summer service to Barbados. The flights will be shared with Guyana and operate to Tobago or Grenada on six days, with a dedicated Barbados service on Wednesdays. BTMI said the expanded schedule will give UK travellers, especially families, greater flexibility while supporting year-round tourism and providing easier access to major summer events, including Crop Over, Dive Fest and Rally Barbados. Caricom CARICOM Health Ministers approved a 2026–2031 Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change, supported by PAHO/WHO, to strengthen Caribbean health systems and protect communities from climate-related threats such as hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, and dengue. The framework aims to improve preparedness, resilience, and sustainability, particularly in vulnerable Caribbean Small Island Developing States. “This new regional Action Plan reflects a shared commitment to strengthening health systems and protecting communities across the Caribbean from the health risks associated with climate and environmental threats,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO. “Caribbean countries are demonstrating leadership on an issue that requires coordinated action across sectors. As implementation moves forward, PAHO will continue supporting Member States through technical cooperation and capacity-building to strengthen resilience and sustainability in the health sector.” “This updated Plan reflects both the progress made across the Caribbean and the challenges that remain,” said Dr Daniel Buss, chief of PAHO’s Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health Unit. “It places greater emphasis on strengthening health system resilience, improving access to financing, and ensuring that countries have the tools needed to protect populations most at risk from health threats associated with climate change.” The plan focuses on improving leadership, strengthening health systems through disease monitoring and early warnings, and reducing emissions through renewable energy and sustainable waste management. "PAHO/WHO will continue to provide technical cooperation directly to Ministries of Health and will work through partnerships with Caricom, CARPHA, academia, civil society and the private sector to expand the reach of our support, while joining Member States in mobilising the resources needed to implement this Plan," said Leah-Mari Richards, chief of the PAHO/WHO Subregional Programme for the Caribbean. Ministries of health are encouraged to lead the plan’s implementation alongside other government departments responsible for climate change, finance, agriculture, water and disaster management. Countries are also urged to align their national strategies with the region’s shared priorities. Cuba The United States has introduced new financial and travel restrictions on Cuba, reversing measures established under the Biden administration that allowed Cuban private entrepreneurs greater access to the US banking system. The changes restrict certain payments through US banks and limit some educational and professional travel to the island. The measures, which took effect on Wednesday, implement parts of President Donald Trump’s Cuba policy targeting individuals and entities Washington considers threats to US national security or responsible for repression in Cuba. The Biden administration had introduced the authorization to support Cuba’s private sector by improving access to financial services and allowing approved payments and remittances. Under the new rules, US banks can no longer open or maintain accounts under that authorization, and existing funds must be blocked and reported to OFAC unless otherwise permitted. However, the immediate impact may be limited, as few Cuban entrepreneurs had benefited because many US banks were reluctant to work with them due to sanctions concerns. The new regulations also end authorization for certain international payments involving Cuba that pass through US banks, allowing financial institutions to reject these transactions. The restrictions were introduced a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio intensified the administration’s criticism of the Cuban government. “The truth is Cuba has already fallen,” Rubio said as he described Cuba as “a failed state in every sense of the word.” Jamaica Jamaica’s water crisis has been worsening, with 107 of the National Water Commission’s 405 reserve systems experiencing drought conditions. Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda has warned that stricter restrictions could be introduced as several parishes continue to face water shortages. Minister Samuda warned that some communities may face a day-on, day-off water supply as drought conditions worsen and rainfall forecasts remain poor. He said the government has begun emergency procurement of 5,000 water tanks, including 1,000 for early childhood institutions undergoing certification and another 1,000 for farmers to help protect their livelihoods and support food security. “The third category for distribution is indeed working with the Ministry of Labour through the disabled communities," Samuda said. "We will be providing tanks to households with persons with disabilities who need it, and we’re working on the screening process with the Ministry of Labour.” Samuda said the remaining 2,000 water tanks will be distributed based on assessments by the Water Resources Authority, Rural Water Supply Ltd and the National Water Commission. “We are assessing water-safe communities and we are assessing their storage. So, one of the challenges we have when we see trucks going into particular communities and see people running out with buckets and jars and all sorts of things is because at the household level they don’t have sufficient storage. “So, where we’re having some of these challenges in the eastern half of the island, we’ll be going into communities and intervening...with the remaining 2,000,” he said.