As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda makes final preparations to welcome global leaders for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), its national Cabinet has given the green light to procure additional security equipment for the country’s police force and military, according to Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant. Speaking directly to reporters after the closed-door Cabinet session, Merchant confirmed the approval but declined to release key details including the specific type of equipment, total procurement cost, and expected delivery timeline. He noted that the government intends to share a full breakdown of the plan at a future, unspecified date.
The approval of the new security assets came during a meeting focused heavily on pressing national security threats, where senior law enforcement and customs leadership joined Cabinet members to discuss the escalating crisis of gun violence, the flow of illegal firearms across borders, and gaps in current border protection infrastructure. During the discussions, the acting prime minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to equipping all national security bodies including police and customs with the tools they require to protect public safety.
Beyond approving new equipment, Cabinet issued formal directives to law enforcement to ramp up intelligence-driven anti-criminal operations, increase visible police presence across residential communities, and step up pursuit of individuals linked to organized criminal activity. For border control operations, officials ordered closer inspection of all incoming shipping containers, accelerated efforts to roll out portable scanning devices, and moves to fully activate the permanent container scanner already installed at the nation’s main port.
Merchant emphasized that Cabinet frames robust border management as a foundational pillar of broader efforts to stop illegal firearms and ammunition from being smuggled into Antigua and Barbuda. To further strengthen detection capabilities at ports, Cabinet also formally approved the acquisition of specialized detection dogs trained to locate hidden firearms, ammunition, and undeclared currency.
The meeting also opened with an official moment of condolence for the family of Saquania Anthony, a recent victim of fatal gun violence in Bathlodge. Cabinet also expressed its sincere concern for two other people who were injured in the same shooting attack. Merchant highlighted that this recent violence has underscored the urgent need for decisive government action to address the ongoing gun violence crisis gripping the nation.