ARICOM leaders with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the 50th Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in February 2026.
The United States has outlined US$340.3 million in announced and intended funding for digital connectivity, security and healthcare initiatives following talks involving Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean countries in Washington.
The largest allocation is US$175.8 million for the Caribbean and Central America Undersea Cables Program, aimed at expanding high-speed telecommunications connections and making them more resilient to disruption.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau hosted the U.S.–Caribbean Dialogue at the State Department on October 15. High-level delegations from 15 countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, attended.
According to the State Department, the meeting fulfilled a commitment Secretary of State Marco Rubio made to Caribbean Community heads of government during their February meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The announcement did not specify how much funding individual countries would receive or identify a cable project for Antigua and Barbuda.
Security assistance totals US$103 million under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. That includes US$37 million to protect critical digital infrastructure and ports and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Another US$66 million will support efforts to counter transnational criminal organisations and strengthen border security. That allocation comprises US$55 million in International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement assistance and US$11 million in Foreign Military Financing.
For healthcare, the department said it intends to provide US$61.5 million through the Americas Strategic Partnership for Independent Regional Healthcare Excellence, known as ASPIRE, working with Congress.
The programme is intended to help Caribbean governments build self-sufficient health workforces through ethical and transparent recruitment, with fair compensation paid directly to health professionals.
The talks also covered energy security, disaster response, access to U.S. technology and closer coordination against illicit drug and firearms trafficking.
Caribbean representatives met American business leaders at a luncheon and evening reception to discuss potential projects in energy, critical minerals, ports and digital infrastructure.
The State Department also announced plans to host a Caribbean Investment Summit in early 2027, bringing together U.S. companies, financiers, government finance agencies and Caribbean partners to advance commercial deals.
A further regional security meeting is planned for spring 2027, with the United States working alongside Caribbean security ministers and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security to convene the next Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Security Ministerial.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: U.S. announces US$340 million for Caribbean cables, security and healthcare.