Washington D.C. – In an official public statement issued this week, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally conveyed warm, well-wishes to the citizens and governing administration of Antigua and Barbuda as the Caribbean island nation marks its 45th anniversary of national independence.
The statement emphasizes that the decades-long bilateral friendship between the U.S. and Antigua and Barbuda is built on a solid foundation of shared democratic principles, deep cross-cultural connections between ordinary residents of both nations, and a mutual dedication to fostering a Caribbean region defined by safety, stability, and inclusive economic prosperity.
Since the two nations first established formal diplomatic ties back in 1981, shortly after Antigua and Barbuda gained sovereign status, collaborative efforts have spanned a wide spectrum of priority areas: coordinated regional security operations, joint law enforcement initiatives to counter transnational criminal activity, targeted programs to drive sustainable local economic growth, and coordinated disaster preparedness frameworks to mitigate risks from the extreme weather events that frequently impact the Caribbean basin.
Rubio went on to note that the U.S. highly values Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a key strategic partner in advancing long-term security and stability across the entire Eastern Caribbean subregion, and confirmed Washington’s commitment to expanding close, constructive collaboration on all policy areas that serve the shared interests of both countries in the coming years. The statement closed with a renewed, heartfelt wish for the people of Antigua and Barbuda to enjoy a joyful, memorable celebration of this major national milestone.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirms friendship with Antigua and Barbuda on Independence anniversary
