Several Caribbean nations offer citizenship to foreign investors under the CBI program.
On Wednesday, the governments of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica expressed surprise at the partial travel restrictions imposed by the United States, which “unfairly” affect the citizens in legitimate programs.
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Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne stated that his country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program has historically operated without a residency requirement but now requires 30 days of physical residency, which contradicts the U.S. proclamation.
Under the program, several Caribbean nations offer citizenship to foreign investors in exchange for a substantial contribution to the “socio-economic development” of these countries.
Browne denounced that the United States’ claims “do not reflect the current reality” and noted that his country has worked closely with Washington to strengthen CBI safeguards and prevent risks to U.S. national security.
Browne, who has criticized the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean, added that the Parliament passed comprehensive legislation that introduces strict residency requirements and reinforces the program’s transparency.
The Donald Trump administration has banned people with Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents from entering the United States.
Other countries added in the travel ban are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania,… pic.twitter.com/SFwtwcZRgf
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 17, 2025
Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stated that he held productive talks with the United States regarding the CBI program, and attributed the decision to a possible lack of communication between the White House and branches of the U.S. government.
Skerrit announced that Dominica will send formal notes requesting clarification and a review of the measure. He confirmed that he is in contact with Browne and asked that the error be acknowledged and the decision revoked.
On Monday, Skerrit offered to mediate between the United States and Venezuela amid growing tensions in the Caribbean, and emphasized that Dominica maintains friendly relations with both countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s proclamation expanded the list of countries with total travel bans to 19 and added partial restrictions to another 19. He justified the measure by citing a lack of sufficient information about the risks posed by travelers.
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, declared before parliament that Antigua and Barbuda will not use its military assets for any country, as they support the region being considered a zone of peace.#AntiguaandBarbuda #USA #SoutherCommand #Caribbean #teleSUR pic.twitter.com/iHVduMiS6V
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 17, 2025
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
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