Tagged: Antigua and Barbuda

According to Proexchangerates, the government of Antigua and Barbuda is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The Queen of the United Kingdom is the head of state and is represented in Antigua and Barbuda by a Governor General. The current Prime Minister is Gaston Browne, who was elected in 2014. The country consists of two main islands, Antigua and Barbuda, as well as several other smaller islands. The national legislature is a unicameral Parliament consisting of 17 elected members, plus the speaker and deputy speaker, who are elected from among the members. The executive branch consists of the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers appointed by the Governor General on recommendation from Parliament. The judicial branch consists of numerous courts including Supreme Court and Court of Appeals as well as local magistrates’ courts in each parish. Judges are appointed by the Governor General on recommendation from an independent commission. The Constitution provides for an independent election commission to oversee elections and ensure they meet international standards for free and fair elections. Antigua has held several free and fair elections since 1981 including parliamentary elections in 2009, 2014, 2018 and 2022 as well as municipal elections in 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2025. Antigua and Barbuda is a small island nation located in the Caribbean Sea, with a population of approximately 97,000 people. The country maintains strong relations with its neighbors in the Caribbean region as well as with other countries around the world. Antigua and Barbuda has been an active participant in international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), Organization of American States (OAS), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and World Trade Organization (WTO). Antigua and Barbuda has traditionally had close ties with the United Kingdom since it was a British colony until 1981. The country still maintains strong diplomatic relations with the UK and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, which is an association of former British colonies. Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda has developed strong economic ties with other European countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. The United States also maintains close diplomatic relations with Antigua and Barbuda due to their shared history as former British colonies. The US has provided financial assistance to Antigua and Barbuda through various programs such as USAID and OPIC. Additionally, there are many US companies that have invested in Antigua’s tourism industry due to its favorable climate & beautiful beaches. In recent years Antigua & Barbuda has sought to diversify its foreign relations by establishing diplomatic ties with other countries around the world such as China & India. This effort has been aimed at increasing foreign investment flows into the country while also promoting its interests on global issues such as climate change & sustainable development. Additionally, Antigua & Barbuda participates in various regional organizations such as CARICOM & Association of Caribbean States (ACS) where it promotes its views on regional economic development & security issues. Overall, Antigua & Barbuda’s foreign policy is based on maintaining close ties with its traditional partners while also seeking to diversify its economic partnerships through increased engagement with other countries around the world. By doing so, it hopes to promote economic growth & stability for itself while also contributing to global peace & prosperity through international cooperation & dialogue.