Antigua and Barbuda: Geothermal talks with SKN, CHOGM planning visit completed, back pay at 90%, ABLP reinvesting campaign surplus, U.S. visa relief partial

PM Gaston Browne confirms advanced geothermal energy talks with St Kitts and Nevis, Commonwealth Secretariat completes CHOGM 2026 planning visit, government reports 90% of outstanding back pay cleared, ABLP redirects leftover campaign funds into post-election investment, and the country secures partial relief from U.S. visa restrictions.

TWB Newsroom · May 18 ·Antigua-Barbuda

Geothermal talks with St Kitts and Nevis

Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed Antigua and Barbuda is in advanced talks with St Kitts and Nevis on a geothermal energy partnership. SKN has the volcanic resource. Antigua has the demand profile. A signed bilateral on regional renewable energy would give Browne a concrete climate-leadership talking point ahead of November’s CHOGM hosting. (Source: Antigua News Room, May 17 2026)

CHOGM 2026 planning visit completed

The Commonwealth Secretariat has completed a planning visit to Antigua and Barbuda ahead of November’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The High Commission confirmed the visit covered venue, security, and protocol logistics. CHOGM is the largest international convening Antigua has hosted in years and will be a stress test for state hospitality and security capacity. (Source: Antigua & Barbuda High Commission UK, May 16 2026)

Back pay clearance hits 90%

PM Browne confirmed the government has already paid more than 90 per cent of outstanding back pay owed to eligible public sector workers. The back-pay programme was one of the post-election commitments, and the disbursement pace gives the ABLP a fiscal-credibility data point to cite during the parliamentary debate cycle. (Source: Antigua News Room, May 17 2026)

ABLP reinvesting campaign surplus

The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party plans to invest leftover campaign funds from the April 30 general election into post-election political work rather than return them to coffers. Browne framed the decision as continuity of mobilisation, though the move has drawn opposition criticism over campaign-finance norms. (Source: Antigua News Room, May 17 2026)

Partial U.S. visa relief secured

Antigua has secured partial relief from U.S. visa restrictions but may have to tighten Citizenship by Investment programme requirements in return. The executive order had blocked nationals from obtaining immigrant visas and several nonimmigrant categories, including B-1 and B-2 visitor, F and M student, and J exchange visitor visas. (Source: IMI Daily, May 12 2026)