More information about Antigua and Barbuda is available on the Antigua and Barbuda Country Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Antigua and Barbuda in 1981 following its independence from the United Kingdom, and the countries enjoy a friendly and cooperative relationship. The United States supports the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts to encourage the country’s economic development, protect public health, and improve its citizens’ security and standard of living.
Antigua and Barbuda’s location close to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico makes it an attractive trans-shipment point for narcotics traffickers. To address these problems, the United States and Antigua and Barbuda signed a series of counternarcotic and anticrime treaties and agreements, including a maritime law enforcement agreement subsequently amended to include overflight and order-to-land provisions, a bilateral extradition treaty, and a mutual legal assistance treaty. The United States and Antigua and Barbuda also cooperate through partnerships including the Partnership Framework for HIV and AIDS, the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, and the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program.
Antigua and Barbuda is situated strategically in the Leeward Islands, near maritime transport lanes of major importance to the United States.
The Ambassador and Embassy officers reside in Barbados and travel to Antigua frequently. A U.S. consular agent resident in Antigua assists U.S. citizens in Antigua and Barbuda.
U.S. Assistance to Antigua and Barbuda
U.S. assistance to Antigua and Barbuda flows primarily through multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, and through the U.S. Agency for International Development office in Bridgetown, Barbados. Antigua and Barbuda also receives U.S. counternarcotics assistance, and it benefits from U.S. military training, exercises, and humanitarian civic assistance construction projects, including through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Antigua and Barbuda is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), which grants duty-free entry into the United States for many goods. The CBI aims to facilitate the economic development and export diversification of the Caribbean Basin economies. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM).
Antigua and Barbuda’s Membership in International Organizations
Antigua and Barbuda and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
Bilateral Representation
Principal U.S. embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
Antigua and Barbuda maintains an embassy in the United States at 3234 Prospect St. NW, Washington, DC 20007 (tel. 202-362-5122).
More information about Antigua and Barbuda is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Antigua and Barbuda Page
CIA World Factbook Antigua and Barbuda Page
USAID Antigua and Barbuda Page
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Antigua and Barbuda
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Library of Congress Country Studies (see Caribbean Islands)
Travel Information
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
State Caribbean Landing Page
U.S. Strategy for Engagement in the Caribbean
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
