Speaking on his weekly radio programme, Browne said the government had initially planned to vote in favour of the resolution but received a call from the US State Department indicating that supporting Cuba could undermine ongoing negotiations over visa restrictions affecting Antiguan and Barbudan nationals.

According to Browne, the government subsequently instructed its ambassador to the United Nations in New York to abstain from the October 28 vote. However, Antigua and Barbuda was ultimately recorded as absent rather than abstaining. Browne said he did not know why the ambassador did not attend the vote.The Prime Minister explained that the government was attempting to avoid jeopardising discussions with Washington as it seeks to address restrictions affecting nationals travelling to the United States. He also suggested that concerns surrounding the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme could be contributing to the restrictions.

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution by 130 votes to 17, with 25 abstentions. Antigua and Barbuda’s absence marked a departure from its support for the resolution in 2025. Browne says diplomatic efforts to resolve the visa situation are continuing, although no agreement has yet been reached to lift the restrictions.