As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda prepares to host the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) set for November 1 to 4, the country has received a major boost to its security preparations: nearly 300 additional security personnel from regional and international partner nations, including Canada, are set to join local security teams to safeguard the high-stakes diplomatic gathering.
Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications for Antigua and Barbuda, confirmed the deployment in details shared during a post-Cabinet media briefing held Friday. He added that the incoming security forces will not only augment local capacity but also bring specialized security equipment to strengthen protective operations for attending heads of government, official delegations, and other high-profile dignitaries.
“Close to 300 additional security forces will be on Antigua, particularly for this event,” Merchant told reporters. “Not only the forces, but they will be bringing equipment with them to aid in providing the highest level of security for dignitaries who will be here for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.”
Merchant named Canada and member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as key contributing partners to the security effort, though he declined to share a country-by-country breakdown of deployed personnel or disclose specific details about the types of equipment being brought into the country.
The public announcement comes two days after senior law enforcement officials presented a full readiness briefing to Antigua and Barbuda’s Cabinet on Wednesday. According to Merchant, the Cabinet discussion covered critical operational details including cross-agency coordination protocols, personnel training status, and outstanding resource requirements to secure the multi-day summit. Preparations for the event are progressing on schedule, with all involved local agencies already working in lockstep to meet their mandated responsibilities, he noted.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne joined other Cabinet members in reviewing the overall state of preparations, and underscored the government’s priority of ensuring local security agencies have access to all necessary funding, materials, and administrative backing to carry out their duties. Merchant added that Browne reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to enabling security teams to operate effectively and with full professionalism throughout the summit.
The expanded security operation has a clear core goal: to create a safe, secure environment not only for visiting world leaders, official delegates, and invited guests, but also for members of the local public who will be in areas surrounding summit venues during Antigua and Barbuda’s turn to host the key Commonwealth gathering.